Photo: UAAP

By  Nate Castillo

De La Salle University rebounded from a second set mishap to beat archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17, for a fourth straight win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Spikers yielded a set for the first time in the season after faltering in the final stretch of the second frame, but quickly regrouped in the next two to remain unbeaten.

Photo: UAAP

Angel Canino scored 20 of her 21 points on kills with 11 excellent receptions and five digs to power La Salle to its 16^th straight head-to-head victory over the Blue Eagles that started in the finals of Season 79 back in 2017.

Lilay Del Castillo hosted a block party after accounting for half of the Lady Spikers’ 16 kill blocks to finish with 18 markers. Amie Provido had 17 points and rookie setter Eshana Nunag tallied 18 excellent sets in the Lady Spikers’ second straight match sans team captain Shevana Laput, who is still out due to an illness.  

Photo: UAAP

La Salle responded well after surrendering the second frame, erecting early leads to control the third and fourth sets.

Photo: UAAP

“They relaxed in the second set. Ateneo was very patient on their floor defense and frustrated our attackers by keeping the ball alive. We just told them to be patient,” Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.

La Salle tied the second set at 20. Ateneo answered with four straight points aided by back-to-back errors by the Lady Spikers for a 24-20 advantage.

Del Castillo saved a set point but Ana Hermosura shattered La Salle’s block to tie the match at 1-1.

The Blue Eagles absorbed a fourth straight defeat in as many games despite the 18-point effort of Hermosura and JLo Delos Santos’ 15 markers.