Lady Spikers awaiting finals foe after bundling out Tigresses

Shevana Laput (No. 7) scores over Jonna Perdido. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

La Salle outlasted University of Santo Tomas in an epic thriller, 26-28, 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 15-13, on late Wednesday night to grab a finals seat in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Preseason Championship at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Shevana Laput and Angel Canino delivered at the clutch for the Lady Spikers, who got another crack at the crown after a runner-up finish in the inaugural edition two years ago.

It was the eighth straight win for the Lady Spikers, who will come into the best-of-three title series against either National University or Far Eastern undefeated.

The Lady Bulldogs-Lady Tamaraws dispute the second title series slot on Saturday. Game 1 of the championship is set on Nov. 22.

Laput, the 2023 National Invitationals MVP, scored four of her 19 points in the deciding frame, including back-to-back hits that gave the Lady Spikers enough cushion.

Canino finishes it

“I just knew I had to step up. I had to be there for my team and be that reliable player for them,” the towering Laput said. “I hope that it showed on the court and I hope that my team will continue to rely on me.”

Canino pushed the Lady Spikers to match point off a combination play, 14-11. The Tigresses mounted one last hurrah with Angge Poyos smashing an off-the-block kill followed by the last of La Salle’s 40 errors as Santo Tomas saved two match points.

But Canino found an open area in the backrow as the Lady Spikers got their turn to eliminate the Tigresses, who showed them the door in the Final Four of UAAP Season 86.

“I know that it was a team effort. It’s always a team effort and not just one person who finishes the points and gets the MVP of the match. All of us are MVPs right now,” added Laput.