The La Salle Lady Spikers became the first team to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four after avoiding a collapse against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In the third set, the Lady Spikers were already two points away from completing a sweep, 23-20, but the Morayta-based squad showed resilience with an unanswered 5-0 run to steal the set.
FEU carried that momentum into the fourth, forcing a deciding fifth set. There, La Salle regained control. With the Lady Tamaraws trimming the gap to 9-11, the trio of Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Shevana Laput delivered a 4-1 closing run to seal the win.
“Unang-una, nung fifth set, sinabihan lang sila ni Coach Ramil na ‘balik.’ Kalimutan yung nangyari sa third set at fourth set, balik kung ano yung inumpisahan namin,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
“Sumunod lang sila sa kung ano yung gustong mangyari ni coach, kaya ayun, nakuha yung fifth set.”
Shevana Laput Comes Up Big for La Salle
Laput led the Lady Spikers with 25 points on 20 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 ace, while Canino added 24 points built on 20 attacks and 4 blocks, along with 14 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Provido finished with 17 points on 10 attacks, 6 blocks, and 1 ace. Eshana Nunag dished out 32 excellent sets, while Lyka De Leon recorded 10 excellent receptions and 4 excellent digs.
For FEU, Lovely Lopez led the team with 16 points and 24 excellent receptions, while Gerzel Petallo had 14 points and 18 excellent receptions. Faida Bakanke contributed 10 points.
The Lady Spikers will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the Filoil Centre. Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws will take on the UUP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 12, at 5:00 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
