Photo: UAAP
By Nate Castillo
De La Salle University booked an outright finals seat after surviving a tough challenge from three-peat-seeking National University, 27-25, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13, to sweep the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament elimination round Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers closed the elims with a perfect 14-0 win-loss record for their first outright championship entry since their runner-up finish in 2014.
La Salle's victory also triggered a stepladder semifinals for the first time since the Bella Belen-led Lady Bulldogs made a perfect title run back in 2022.
Photo: UAAP
Shane Reterta posted a triple-double of 21 points on 14 kills, four aces and three kill blocks, with 16 excellent receptions and 15 digs to lead the Lady Spikers.
Veteran Angel Canino had 15 points, 12 digs and 16 excellent receptions while Shevana Laput and Amie Provido added 16 and 15 markers, respectively, for La Salle, which advanced to its 21st finals appearance.
“They want to win, but we wanted the win more. We played our hearts out and prepared well for this,” Reterta said.
It was a cardiac race to the finish in the fifth set. An unsuccessful floor touch call by La Salle after a Canino attack error tied it at 13.
Photo: UAAP
Laput pushed the Lady Spikers at match point with a crosscourt hit before La Salle won the match in an anti-climactic referee’s challenge that saw Arah Panique’s arm touch the net.
La Salle was initially called for a four-touch infraction before head coach Ramil De Jesus requested a block touch challenge. Upon review, Panique’s net touch was discovered, prompting a referee’s challenge.
NU slipped to a 9-4 win-loss record. The Lady Bulldogs will try to vie for a stepladder semifinals twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday against University of Santo Tomas.
Vange Alinsug scored 22 points and Panique had 19 for NU.
0
