The La Salle University Lady Spikers needed just 1 hour and 27 minutes to dispatch the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-14, 25-16, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle dominated the first two sets with crisp execution and disciplined defense, but UST made sure the third would not come easily.
The Golden Tigresses erased a five-point deficit to tie the frame at 22-all. Shane Reterta’s error briefly handed UST the lead, and Xyza Gula’s check-ball attack pushed them to set point, 24-22.
However, momentum quickly shifted.
La Salle Closes Out Command Performance
Gula committed a spiking error before being denied twice at the net by team captain Shevana Laput, swinging the advantage back to La Salle at 25-24. The Lady Spikers then calmly dropped the final ball into UST’s court to complete the sweep and preserve their unbeaten record.
“Napaghandaan lang namin ‘yung UST. Kumbaga, ‘yung game plan ni coach na sinabi sa kanila, nasunod lang. So ‘yun, ginusto nilang manalo. Ayun, nag-extend na naman ‘yung third set. Kaya lang talagang ginusto manalo ng mga bata. So ayun ‘yung resulta. Talagang kailangan nilang maghirap talaga,” said assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
Laput led the Lady Spikers with 22 points, built on 17 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 ace. Angel Canino added 13 markers, while Reterta and Amie Provido chipped in 7 points apiece.
For UST, Angge Poyos was the lone player in double figures with 16 points. Reg Jurado finished with 7 markers.
La Salle next faces fellow unbeaten UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, February 25, at 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Earlier that day, UST takes on the Ateneo Lady Eagles at 1:00 p.m.
