LA SALLE forged a triple tie for the lead after a 17-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-22 comeback win over also-ran Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Shevana Laput’s towering presence proved too much for the Lady Falcons as she came away with 24 points on 22 attacks and two blocks.
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By virtue of match points, the defending champions sit second in the three-way logjam with 29 points as National University leads with 30 and University of Sto. Tomas trails with 28 — all sharing 10-2 (win-loss) records.
La Salle coach Noel Orcullo said the Lady Spikers were tentative in the first set.
"Nag-aantayan, walang gustong mag-lead so 'yun 'yung naging resuta. 'Pag ganitong walang nag-lelead, talagang nagging pangit 'yung galaw nila. Parang hindi sila magkakakilala sa loob kasi nga walang nag-lelead," Orcullo noted.
"Buti na lang nanalo at nakuha 'yung second set hanggang nagtuloy-tuloy so a win's a win pa rin talaga kahit masama yung laro,"
The Lady Spikers couldn't shrug off early cobwebs in the first set as Jen Villegas (16 points) and Barbie Jamili (11 points) took over in a 10-0 run from 15-17 down to grab the opener. Compounding La Salle's early woes was the left shoulder injury sustained by Baby Jyne Soreño after drawing contact with teammate Lyka De Leon in a dig attempt.
From there, La Salle restored order through Thea Gagate's 12 markers, a defensive double-double from Lyka De Leon with 14 digs and 10 receptions and 19 excellent sets from setter-captain Julia Coronel.
Adamson libero Karen Verdeflor manned the San Marcelino side's floor defense with 22 receptions and 21 digs but couldn't contain Laput & Co.'s offensive firepower who logged their tenth win of the season.
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