MESSAGE sent. Message received. Loud and clear.
La Salle stood firm in its intent to win back the women’s volleyball crown with a 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, and 25-17 first-round finale win over National U in UAAP Season 88 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Making the victory much sweeter was how long the Lady Spikers had to endure loss after loss to the three-peat-seeking champions.
This was just La Salle’s first win since its five-set win in the first round of Season 86 two years ago, losing five straight head-to-head games since.
Since this modern-day rivalry first came to life in Season 84, the Lady Spikers have only won over the Lady Bulldogs five times in 15 matches.
"Matagal naming pinaghandaan nito. Itong first round na 'to, hindi mo masasabi na ito na 'yun kasi mahaba 'yung tournament eh," said head coach Ramil de Jesus.
"Gulatan lang dito sa first round, and then second round, ayun na. Makikita na lahat ng mga teams kung paano gumalaw 'yung team. Basahan na kasi at makikita na kung anong adjustments gagawin sa kanya-kanyang teams."
Shevana Laput turned in 19 points and eight digs, ahead of Angel Canino's 14-point, 10-reception, six-dig night.
Amie Provido also came up big on both ends with 12 points and nine digs, backed by a breakout nine-point game from rookie middle blocker Vida Caringal.
Shane Reterta scored just five points and dished out six digs, but repelled the oft-strong NU serve with 15 receptions, as Eshana Nunag added three markers and 22 excellent sets.
La Salle goes up, down, and up
La Salle faced an unusual blue-and-gold lineup in the opener, with breakout rookie Sam Cantada coming off the bench, while reigning UAAP best setter Lams Lamina started the match.
Taking Cantada’s spot in the first six was Celine Marsh, who struggled to crack the Lady Spikers’ defense, as they grabbed the early edge.
The Lady Bulldogs again fell behind early in the second set at 3-7 before shot-caller Regine Diego turned to Cantada, who quickly delivered five points.
But the green-and-white had an answer through 5-foot-11 Caringal, who produced timely points in key stretches to keep them ahead.
With Cantada finding her rhythm and Arah Panique joining the scoring party, the reigning titlists finally broke through in the third, finishing the set by scoring eight of the last 12 points to extend the match to a fourth frame.
Once there, however, La Salle looked ready to close the match in four after racing to a blistering 15-3 start before Cantada sparked one last NU rally, leading a 13-3 counter-run that trimmed the deficit to two at 16-18.
But with captain Laput taking over and Provido’s final serve going unreturned, the Lady Spikers slammed the door on their modern-day rivals.
Cantada still rose to the top of the scoresheets for the Lady Bulldogs, even without seeing action the entire first set, with 13 points, 14 receptions, and four digs.
Chams Maaya added 10 points, while Marsh pitched in nine more.
Rough scoring nights from the Lady Bulldogs' usual scoring suspects in Panique with seven points, six from Alexa Mata, and just five from skipper Vange Alinsug dampened their cause, though.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
