AFTER 2,872 days, it’s still green over blue.
La Salle, again, had the last laugh over archrival Ateneo, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers’ rivalry winning streak has now ran for eight years since Game One of the Season 79 finals back in May 2, 2017, where they won their 10th title in what was the sixth straight Ateneo-La Salle championship duel.
The Taft towers have now won 15 in a row over their Katipunan counterparts, extending their all-time UAAP head-to-head advantage to 55-13.
Shevana Laput erupted with a career-high scoring output of 25 points built on 19 attacks, three blocks and three aces.
For one, she's become an established scoring machine. But more than that, being a holistic leader is what Laput seeks to embrace the rest of the way.
"I had already started that role of being one of the go-to guys, being someone that my team trusts and relies on. Personally, that wasn't that big of a change, but I feel like currently, coming to the end of Round 1, I feel like I've finally got my groove and I finally connected to the rest of my teammates," Laput said.
"I feel like I've been really stepping up into that role of being an ate, and being someone who can be trusted on the court."
Homegrown Lasallians Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan showed out against their longtime arch-rivals with 29 combined points.
By winning its penultimate first-round match, La Salle improved to 4-2 and stretched its unbeaten run to three to move up to third-place.
Still a big fight
Ateneo mainstays Lyann de Guzman and newly-converted winger AC Miner also connived for 29 markers.
Down to just 11 players after Sobe Buena’s season-ending full ACL and MCL tears on her right knee, the Blue Eagles' search for a second win continues amid a three-game skid.
The injury bug has now bit Ateneo thrice as Buena, Zel Tsunashima and J.Lo delos Santos all won't return to the team this season.
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