UAAP volleyball: La Salle goes 2-0 but still far from top form

La Salle Lady Spikers during a game against FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–La Salle toppled another rival in straight sets, maintaining a straight path in its bid to defend the crown.

But for Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers are still far from their championship form.

“All of us feel that our movements are not yet polished, which means we have to double our efforts in training,” said Canino after leading La Salle to its second straight victory at the expense of Far Eastern University, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22, on Wednesday at UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Canino, last season’s rookie-MVP during their title run, pummeled the FEU side with 13 points highlighted by 11 attacks and had seven digs in a match that put them ahead early only to permit the enemy to crawl back.

“We struggled a bit. We were erratic and our movements were tentative,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Shevana Laput added 10 points, including eight attacks, while libero Lyka De Leon, thrust into the limelight this season following the departure of some of the team’s key players, had 16 digs and 12 receptions.

“I’m beginning to build my confidence. But overall, I’m not satisfied with my performance because of my lapses. As a team, we’re not satisfied, we have bigger goals than this game,” said De Leon.

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Gerzel Petallo led the Lady Tamaraws with seven attacks, eight digs and 10 receptions in dropping their second match following a season-debut win over the University of the Philippines.

Spikers Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis combined for 24 points together with Alyzza Devosora and Faida Bakanke for the Tamaraws.

Canino waxed hot early in the first set, sending bombs over the fence that the Lady Tamaraws found it hard to contain. Alleiah Malaluan clinched the opening frame for La Salle with a dink at set point.

Laput provided her share of La Salle’s attacks in the second together with Malaluan while defending their fort with efficient blocking with Thea Gagate.

Tied at 10, the Lady Tamaraws simply shot themselves in the foot with a series of miscues, allowing the Lady Spikers to pull away.

Amid the FEU collapse, Princess Larroza pierced her rocket off the block and Amie Provido pounced the back row for a comfortable 19-13 count.

But the Lady Tamaraws pulled themselves together anchored on Ann Asis and cashed in on a slew of La Salle errors in their bid to stay alive.

“We still commit several errors that we can avoid. We have to work on these lapses,” said Canino.

Laput’s crosscourt kill and a tip by Gagate following Asis’ miscalculated smash sealed the deal for the Lady Spikers.