UAAP volleyball: Surging La Salle wants no letup, braces for NU
La Salle Lady Spikers.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Defending champion La Salle continued its winning ways after steamrolling University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Angel Canino and libero Lyka de Leon joined hands in dominating the Fighting Maroons for the Lady Spikers’ fifth win in six games as the sophomore hitter hammered down 16 points built around 13 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
La Salle, meanwhile, relied on De Leon to protect the floor and initiate its offense with 13 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions and dealt UP its fifth straight loss in as many games.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
But there is still more left to be desired in La Salle’s game despite its strong outings.
“Although straight sets, nakukulangan pa rin kami sa galaw nila so kailangan pang i-polish going into our next game against [National University] next week,” La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
“We have to work on our lapses. Lahat na dapat i-correct, kailangan yung connection nandun pa rin. Yun ang tatrabahuhin namin dun sa one week na break kami,” Orcullo added.
READ: La Salle not satisfied despite latest win in UAAP volleyball
The Lady Spikers are now tied with National University (NU) with similar 5-1 slates behind league leader University of Santo Tomas, which is currently undefeated through five outings.
The Lady Spikers haven’t lost a set since falling short against the Golden Tigresses in five sets.
“‘Yung skills namin nandyan na po. ‘Yung kulang na lang po talaga, ‘yung sinasabi ni coach Noel na connection tsaka ‘yung communication namin inside kasi everything is given to us already,” Canino said.
Rookie middle blocker Lilay del Castillo proved her worth after nailing the last two points for La Salle with a quick attack and a block that sealed the sweep after Shevana Laput, who finished with nine points, helped the Lady Spikers inch closer to the win.
Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan took turns scoring near the end of second set for a 5-1 La Salle run before Canino scored the final three points, two of which were blocks.
La Salle showed more efficiency in its attacking but the Lady Spikers’ defense was no slouch either with their net defense–nine blocks–closing the doors on any scoring attempt by UP.
With that brick wall hampering UP, no player reached double-digit scores as the Maroons only finished with 34 attack points.
“Sobrang importante ng defense kay coach Ramil (de Jesus). Facing NU next week, kailangan namin i-work ‘yan. ‘Di naman sa defense lang din kami sa practice kasi mas known kami du’n and mas kailangan pa naming paghandaan ‘yun kasi kalaban nga namin NU,” Canino added.
READ: NU streaking ahead of UAAP Finals rematch vs La Salle
La Salle will have a week to prepare for NU, which is on a five-game winning run, as the two rivals meet for the first time since their Season 85 finals showdown on March 16 at Araneta Coliseum.
“Medyo talagang nagi-step yung NU. Siguro sa unang pagkatalo nila nung opening nung straight sets pa nga, dun sa nangyari na yun medyo nagising sila,” Orcullo said.
“Ngayon nakikita natin yung pagtaas ng game nila so kailangang paghandaan. Hindi pwedeng mag-dwell kami kung paano sila natalo sa UST pero ang pagtutuunan namin ngayon kung paano sila pumapanhik,” he added.
