De La Salle Clinches Final Four Spot, Stays Unbeaten with Win Over UP

De La Salle University secured the first Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament after dominating the University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20, on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With the win, the Lady Spikers remain perfect at 10-0, continuing their impressive run as they seek bigger goals ahead in the season.

La Salle’s victory marks its 16th consecutive postseason appearance, an incredible streak dating back to Season 71 (2008-2009).

“Sa akin kasi, basta may dumating magpiprepare lang kami every game. Kung ano man ang standing namin, secondary na lang yun, result na lang yun. Basta sabi ko lang sa mga bata maghanda lang tayo, bigyan ng respeto ang bawat kalaban although nadaanan na natin nung first round,” said long-time Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus.

It was another dominant performance for La Salle, which had also swept UP in the first round, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19.

The Fighting Maroons showed some fight in the third set, trailing by just one point late, 19-20, thanks to Niña Ytang, Jelai Gajero, and Kianne Olango. However, La Salle’s Lilay del Castillo and Angel Canino teamed up for a decisive 5-1 run to close out the match, sealing the victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

“Honestly, hindi naman po ako ganon ka parang mature pa. Kahit na yun po yung nakakita po ng mga iba. Dahil lang din po siya sa tulong po ng coaches and ates,” said rookie setter Eshana Nunag, who contributed 15 excellent sets and two points, showing poise beyond her years.

Team captain Shevana Laput was a key contributor, scoring 16 points on 14-of-24 attacks and two blocks. Canino also had a strong outing, adding 15 points with 13-of-22 spikes. Amie Provido added 10 points, including four attacks, four blocks, and two aces, while Shane Reterta and Lilay Del Castillo chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

La Salle’s spiking efficiency was a key factor in the victory, hitting 46-of-85 (54%) compared to UP’s 30-of-93 (32%).

La Salle will aim to extend its unbeaten streak to 11-0 on April 8 when they face Far Eastern University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

For UP, Gajero and Ytang scored nine points each, while Olango added seven. The Fighting Maroons now fall to 4-6 and remain in sixth place, continuing to search for the right mix, especially as they contend with injuries to key spikers Casiey Dongallo and Joan Monares.

UP will look to bounce back on April 8 when they take on Ateneo de Manila University, also at the Pasay venue.