La Salle outlasts NU in UAAP women’s volleyball

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino, right, and Shevana Laput during a game against the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–La Salle fought through adversity and survived National University, 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12, in a thrilling rematch of last year’s titular clash on Saturday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

Shevana Laput exploited her length to the hilt by smashing 18 attacks out of a season-best 20 points while Angel Canino poured on the heat during the set that mattered most as the Lady Spikers wrapped up the first round with another victory, their sixth in seven games.

“It was super close. I feel that we still have plenty of things to improve on and learn something from this five-setter,” said Canino after firing six of her 17 points in the final set that went well with seven excellent digs and two aces.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

La Salle deputy coach Noel Orcullo, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Angel Canino share their thoughts after beating NU. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/TV1Ob7R2mm

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Amie Provido was likewise in her elements with 14 points plus five blocks that really proved critical against the Lady Bulldogs’ power hitters.

Julia Coronel effectively orchestrated La Salle’s offense with 22 excellent sets while Lyka De Leon shielded them from NU’s fireballs with 14 receptions and 11 digs.

“We really have to fight for it. I’m really thankful for the trust that my teammates put on me. But this is not just me, it’s the whole team,” said Laput.

READ: UAAP volleyball: La Salle wary of rising NU heading into showdown

The Lady Spikers landed second behind the unbeaten University of Santo Tomas Tigresses entering the second phase of the tournament, the only team that defeated the defending champions so far.

Alyssa Solomon paced the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, Bella Belen had 20 and Vangie Alinsug added 19 in a stinging defeat that pulled them to 5-2 at solo third.

Errors on the other end of the floor became NU’s ally as the Lady Spikers practically shot themselves in the foot in the opening set.

The Lady Bulldogs, through the efforts of Alinsug and Belen, quickly capitalized and built an eight-point cushion.

Kaye Bombita then got into a zone and drove down a couple of hits to keep them on track before another La Salle attack error closed out the set.

The Lady Spikers struck back in the second set with Laput and Canino putting order on their end along with Provido.

La Salle got temporarily slowed down by a couple of service miscues before Alleiah Malaluan extinguished the Lady Bulldogs’ glimmer of hope with a ferocious cross court strike.

Solomon poured the heat with successive hits after May Pangilinan’s backrow spike widened the gap in the third set at 10-2.

But as the Lady Spikers attempted to mount a comeback with Laput showing the way, Belen took the initiative with back-to-back attacks for NU to regain control entering the fourth set.

The projected thriller lived up to its billing as Laput, Provido and Malaluan conspired to erect a 9-0 La Salle advantage and sustained the lead with an unyielding defense at the net in forcing the five-setter.

Blocks by Laput and Provido shoved them further ahead, 24-17, prior to Belen’s attack error that went wide on the sideline.

Canino gassed it up in the deciding frame, piercing through the NU defense by scoring majority of her team’s attacks as they survived the nailbiter.

Thea Gagate’s pair of running hits gave them an 11-8 breather followed by another Canino offensive onslaught before Laput capped a great night with a smash through the block.