By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Angel Canino came alive in the fifth set as the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers outdueled the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night, March 16.
The reigning UAAP women’s volleyball MVP connected six crucial points in the fifth set to end up with 17 points, on 14 attacks, two service aces, and a block, for the Lady Spikers.
On the other hand, Ilongga Amie Provido was named Player of the Game after tallying a career high of 14 points, including nine attacks and five blocks, as the defending champion ended the first round of elimination with a 6-1 win-loss slate.
After pulling off a massive 25-19 victory in the fourth set behind the heroics of Provido, the Lady Spikers found themselves down early in the fifth set before Canino netted consecutive points for a 7-all score.
Miscues from the Lady Bulldogs, followed by consecutive hits by Thea Gagate, gave the Lady Spikers a 12-8 lead. After connections by NU’s Sheena Toring and Evangeline Alinsug, Canino put DLSU closer to winning at 14-11 with back-to-back shots.
The Lady Bulldogs made their last run at 12-14 on an off-the-block connection by Alinsug, but the Lady Spikers completed their come-from-behind win on a powerful hit by Shevana Laput.
“In-expect naman namin na magiging ganito ‘yung laro eh, na hindi magiging madali ‘yung panalo, kaya nag-all out kami,” Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
Meanwhile, Angeline Poyos delivered the killer blows as the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses scored a 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 28-26 triumph over the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
Down 25-26 late in the fourth set, Poyos drilled a powerful hit to tie the score for the last time at 26-all, before she knocked down back-to-back attacks to secure the win for the Golden Tigresses.
Poyos finished with 18 points, all coming from attacks, to go with 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as the Golden Tigresses finished the first round of eliminations with a 7-0 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ