La Salle’s Angel Canino (12) celebrates with her teammates during a game against UST in the Shakey’s Super League. SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Angel Canino exploded for 25 points as La Salle averted a slow start to beat University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-21, at the start of the second round in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The prized rookie unloaded 19 attacks, including the clutch kill that put the Lady Spikers at match point, and drilled four aces and two blocks to pounce on the Tigresses, who played without their star Eya Laure.
“She’s very consistent. What she does in practice she’s showing it in the game,” said La Salle coach Noel Orcullo, whose squad took a 2-0 carryover record in Pool F and remained undefeated in four games.
Canino, a former UAAP girls MVP, put on the finishing touches in the second set as she brought her team to set point, 24-23, before UST saved two set points but the young outside spiker kept La Salle on top, nailing a back row spike to tie the game one-set apiece.
From there the Lady Spikers dominated the game as veteran spiker Jolina Dela Cruz chipped in 11 markers, while sophomore middle blocker Thea Gagate had nine.
UST slipped to a 1-1 carryover record after suffering its first loss of the tournament, where it swept its four matches in the pool stage. Regina Jurado and Xyza Gula led the Tigresses with 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Cess Robles nailed six attacks and provided great leadership for the unbeaten UAAP champion National University as it swept University of the Philippines, 25-21, 25-16, 25-20, to take a 2-0 lead in Pool E
“I know the importance of my role as a team captain so I showed it to my teammates on how to be an ‘ate’. It’s my responsibility to lead the inside the court,” said Robles as the Lady Bulldogs remained unbeaten after four games.
UP dropped to 1-1 in the group tied with Ateneo as its setter Kamille Cal played against her former school.
In the third game, AC Miner and Lyann De Guzmanled Ateneo’s balanced attack to fend off University of Perpetual Help, 25-21, 26-24, 26-24.
Miner showed the way for the Blue Eagles with 15 points built on 10 kills, three aces, and two blocks, while De Guzman delivered 13 points, including three aces. Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Shaila Omipon carried Perpetual Help with 15 points only to slide to 0-2 in Pool E.
Earlier, Trisha Tubu and veteran Lucille Almonte shone in Adamson’s 25-15, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18 victory over Far Eastern University to improve to 1-1 in Pool F tied with UST.
Tubu scored 12 of her 13 points on kills, as Almonte had 11 markers from nine attacks and two aces to stretch the Lady Falcons’ win streak to four — three consecutive wins from the pool stage of the all-to-play tournament.
Kate Santiago and Antonette Adolfo were also instrumental for Adamson with eight and seven points, respectively.
“Our goal is to lessen our unforced errors and learn from our mistakes. Correct what we need to correct and improve,” said Adamson assistant coach Rald Ricafort.
“What we’re after is not the results but about improving our game. Whatever seed we will land on we’re confident about the competitiveness of our team.”
Chenie Tagaod led the Lady Tamaraws, who dropped to 0-2 carryover card, with 14 points with 12 coming off spikes, while Barbie Jamili and Jean Asis got 10 markers each.
The teams will wrap up the second round on Saturday next week to determine the match-ups for the knockout crossover quarterfinals on November 6.
The Final Four is slated on November 11 while the winner-take-all championship match is set on November 19.