By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers opened their title-retention bid with a rousing 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of the Adamson University Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night, February 17.
Negrense Angel Canino delivered 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks to go along with four excellent digs and four excellent receptions, while Shevana Laput chipped in 11 markers to go along with 10 excellent receptions for the Lady Spikers.
Ilongga Amie Provido and Thea Gagate added eight points each. Alleiah Malaluan had seven points, Julia Coronel tossed 13 excellent sets laced with five points, while Lyka de Leon registered 12 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions for DLSU.
It was a double celebration for the defending champion Lady Spikers as their opening-day victory over the Lady Falcons allowed head coach Ramil de Jesus to pick up his 300th UAAP women’s volleyball victory.
“Hindi ko naman nabibilang ‘yun, pero in 27 years sa La Salle, siguro baka umabot na nga dun. Happy kasi umabot ng ganun karami ‘yung panalo na hindi ko naman naisip na makakarating sa ganun,” De Jesus said after the win.
“Para sa akin, ‘yung mabigyan ng magandang kondisyon [at] performance ‘yung mga bata, sapat na ‘yun. Hindi na ‘yung kung umabot ‘yung ganung panalo,” the 12-time UAAP champion coach added.
No player from the Lady Falcons breached the double-digit mark, with Lucille Almonte and Rochelle Lalongisip scoring six points each in the loss.
Meanwhile, Casiey Dongallo had a triumphant debut as the University of the East Lady Red Warriors walloped the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18.
The Cebuana rookie erupted for 27 points on 26 attacks and one service ace to lead the way for the Lady Red Warriors’ first victory over the Blue Eagles since UAAP Season 73 in 2010.
“I am just thankful for my teammates kasi I cannot have naman 27 points without them eh. So I am just happy na parang nung time na kinakabahan ako, nandun sila, hindi nila ako pinabayaan na bumaba ‘yung laro ko,” Dongallo said./ASC, WDJ