The La Salle Lady Spikers secured a Final Four berth and maintained their perfect record after sweeping the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
La Salle pulled away late in the third set to officially punch its ticket to the semifinals.
UP threatened to extend the match as Niña Ytang, Jelai Gajero, and Kianne Olango trimmed the deficit to 19-20. However, the Lady Spikers responded with a decisive 5-1 closing run, with Angel Canino and Lilay Del Castillo combining for five points to seal the win.
“Sa akin kasi, basta may dumating, magpi-prepare lang kami every game. Kung ano man ang standing namin, secondary na lang ’yon—result na lang ’yon,” said La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus.
“Basta sabi ko sa mga bata, maghanda lang tayo at bigyan ng respeto ang bawat kalaban, kahit nadaanan na natin sila nung first round.”
La Salle Leans on Another Balanced Attack
Team captain Shevana Laput led La Salle with 16 points built on 14 attacks, while Canino added 15 points. Provido contributed 10 points on 4 attacks, 4 blocks, and 2 service aces, while Reterta and Del Castillo combined for 17 points.
Setter Eshana Nunag distributed the offense with 15 excellent sets, while libero Lyka De Leon tallied 6 excellent digs and 6 excellent receptions.
For UP, no player reached double figures, with Ytang and Gajero leading the team with 9 points each.
La Salle will put its unbeaten record on the line against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Earlier that day, UP faces the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 1:00 p.m. as it looks to return to the win column.
