La Salle Dominates Ateneo, Secures Top Seed in UAAP Women’s Volleyball

De La Salle University asserted its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University, winning in straight sets, 25-13, 25-12, 25-18, to secure the top seed and keep its hopes of an elimination round sweep alive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Led by Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Lilay del Castillo, the Lady Spikers extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches, earning the top spot and moving two victories away from completing an elusive elimination round sweep, which would grant them an automatic berth in the Finals.

This victory also marked La Salle’s 18th consecutive win over Ateneo since May 2, 2017, underscoring their dominance in the rivalry.

Standing in the Lady Spikers’ path to a first elimination round sweep since Season 76 (2014) are the winless University of the East Lady Warriors on Wednesday, April 15, at the UST Quadricennial Pavilion, and the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Ateneo briefly held a 15-14 lead in the third set, but La Salle regained control to finish the match in one hour and 18 minutes.

“We were a bit relaxed in the third set and lost focus. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen again in the future. We always remind them to keep their focus and finish games quickly if possible. When they know they’re ahead, they tend to relax, so we need to keep our focus,” said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

The Lady Spikers closed out the match with a dominant 11-3 run, highlighted by attacks from Canino, Shane Reterta, and Del Castillo, along with a key attack error from Zey Pacia, to complete the sweep.

After a strong first set, La Salle carried its momentum into the second, racing to a 7-0 lead and never looking back. Canino, Provido, and Dominique Caringal each contributed to the strong start, putting Ateneo in a 2-0 set hole.

Canino led the way with 15 points, including 13 attacks and two blocks, along with nine excellent receptions and three excellent digs. Provido added 12 points, with eight attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Del Castillo contributed nine points on six attacks, two blocks, and one ace.

Team captain Shevana Laput scored nine points along with nine excellent digs, while Reterta chipped in six points, four excellent digs, and three excellent receptions.

The loss marked Ateneo's fifth consecutive defeat, leaving them with a 1-11 record ahead of their next match against UE on Saturday, April 18, at the UST venue.

Rookie Ana Hermosura was the lone Blue Eagle in double figures, finishing with 10 points, including nine attacks and one ace, alongside eight excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

Tsunashima and Montoro added six and seven points, respectively, with Montoro also contributing 10 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.