TITLEHOLDER National University (NU) warmed up for a heavyweight rematch against unbeaten rival De La Salle University (DLSU) with an easy 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 win against the listless Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Team captain Vange Alinsug cashed in 18 points on 14 hits while super rookie Sam Cantada returned from a one-game absence due to a leg injury with six points for the NU Lady Bulldogs, who improved to 5-1.
The Lady Bulldogs solidified hold of second spot ahead of their clash against the DLSU Lady Spikers, who pace the race at 5-0, next Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena to end the first round of play with the lead up for grabs.
Ms. Alinsug poured the bulk of her output in the first two sets to set the tone as Ms. Cantada, after going down with a shin injury in their lone loss against the third-running UP Fighting Maroons, took over from midway through the second set onwards.
Her thunderous kill capped a 10-3 closeout by the Lady Bulldogs from a close 15-12 score in the third set to hand the ADMU Blue Eagles their sixth defeat in as many games in only 88 minutes of action.
Arah Panique and Alexa Mata chipped in 10 and eight points, respectively, for the charges of coach Regine Diego in hunt for a third straight championship and fourth overall in the last five seasons.
“We’re doing our best every game and we’re happy because everybody can play well whenever we need them,” said Ms. Diego, revving up for her first duel against the legendary Ramil de Jesus of La Salle.
No player finished in twin digits once again for the struggling Ateneo side led by rookies Ana Hermosura and Dona De Leon with seven points each, entering its final assignment for the round against fellow winless squad University of the East (0-6) on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
In the men’s division, Far Eastern University (6-0) zeroed in on a first-round sweep by smothering UP (2-3), 25-14, 25-22, 28-26, while five-peat champion NU (5-1) drubbed Ateneo (2-4), 25-22, 25-23, 25-22.
It is getting harder and harder for La Salle to keep its unbeaten record intact.
And to think the Lady Spikers have yet to play their toughest foe.
On Wednesday, they had to deal with even greater adversity than they ever had to so far in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament—and it took a career night from Shevana Laput to keep them from drowning in that challenge.
Laput fired 26 points, including 19 kills, six blocks and an ace, as La Salle survived Adamson, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 15-5, at Mall of Asia Arena to stretch its winning streak to six games.
But as has been the trend lately, the Lady Spikers needed to grind for the victory.
Adamson, no longer relying solely on star scorer Shaina Nitura, pushed La Salle to the brink by taking the opening set and dominating the fourth to force a decider.
“It’s necessary to go through these kinds of trials and tribulations,” Laput said. “Everything happens for a reason. The road to the championship is not an easy one. If it were easy, every team would win a championship.”
“We struggled to get to 6-0,” Laput said. “Every game that we come to, it’s not easy. We’ve had to fight. We’ve had to give our all every single game.”
Angel Canino backed Laput with an all-around performance of 19 points, 12 digs and 11 excellent receptions, helping steady the Lady Spikers through a match filled with momentum swings.
“In the fifth set, we really played with heart,” said Canino.
The victory served as a timely wake-up call for La Salle ahead of its highly anticipated finals rematch against defending champion National U on Sunday as the Lady Spikers chase a first-round sweep.
