The La Salle Lady Spikers are one win away from a season sweep as they showed their dominance against the UE Lady Red Warriors, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
In the third set, the Lady Spikers broke a 4-all deadlock with an 11-5 run, highlighted by consecutive attacks from Shane Reterta to take a 15-9 lead. The six-point cushion proved too much for the Lady Red Warriors, as Angel Canino, Mikee Santos, and Ella de Guzman sealed the match in their favor.
“Siguro, hindi naman mawawala ‘yung pressure pagdating sa amin. Siyempre, nandoon ‘yung pressure na kailangang manalo, pero lagi namang pinapaalala ni coach na score at number lang ’yan,” said La Salle assistant coach Gian de Jesus. “Kailangan mag-focus pa rin sa kung ano ‘yung nasa harapan mo, which is ‘yung NU [Lady Bulldogs] ngayon, at one game at a time lang. Sana, hopefully, maganda pa rin ‘yung mapakita namin na game against NU.”
Old Reliables Power La Salle
Seniors Canino and Shevana Laput led the Lady Spikers with 12 points apiece. Eshana Nunag and Mikole Reyes shared the setting duties, tallying 8 and 7 excellent sets, respectively. Lyka De Leon anchored the defense with 7 excellent digs and 6 excellent receptions.
For the Lady Red Warriors, Khy Cepada had a double-double with 13 points and 10 excellent receptions, while Nessa Bangayan added 10 points.
The Lady Spikers will bet on their perfect record as they face the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, April 19, at 3:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Lady Red Warriors will finish their season against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
