After a tense final frame that came down to the wire, the La Salle Lady Spikers came out on top against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a straight-sets victory, 25-19, 25-14, 27-25, to open their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on a winning note. The Lady Spikers leaned on the heroics of opposite spiker Shevana Laput to carve out the victory.
With the game stuck at a 25-all deadlock, the newly appointed team captain slammed back-to-back kills to seal the victory against the feisty Lady Tamaraws.
“Sinabihan lang ni Coach Ramil ang mga bata na kapitan lang, ibigay lang ’yung magagawa nila, ayun, kahit papaano kumapit talaga,” deputy coach Noel Orcullo said postgame.
La Salle Sets Momentum Early
After getting swept in last year’s Finals against the NU Lady Bulldogs, the Taft-based squad wasted no time making its case as a title contender this Season 88.
After cruising through the first two sets with ease, the Lady Spikers found themselves in danger after a late rally from FEU, but the 1-2 combo of Laput and Angel Canino eventually put DLSU on top.
Laput filled the stat sheet with 23 points, built on 20 kills, 2 blocks, and an ace, while former team captain Canino contributed 15 points, including 9 in the third set.
Lady Tamaraws Comeback Falls Short
After losing two straight sets to La Salle, the green-and-gold squad went on a 5-1 run late in the third set in an attempt to prolong the match. Despite having 2 set points, the Lady Tamaraws were unable to get over the hump.
Gerz Petallo was the lone double-digit scorer for FEU with 11 points, while Clarisse Loresco added 8 markers.
La Salle will attempt to keep its winning ways when it faces another title contender—UST on Feb. 22, while the Lady Tamaraws will try to claim their first win on Feb. 18 against the UE Lady Red Warriors.
