By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers stretched their winning streak to five games after a 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday evening, March 23.

Negrense Angel Canino led the way for the Lady Spikers anew with 15 points on 14 attacks and an ace to go with 10 excellent receptions as they improved to a 7-1 win-loss record.

Thea Gagate chipped in 10 points, while captain-setter Julia Coronel finished with 16 excellent sets to go with two blocks to be named Player of the Game for the defending champion.

“I would say na hindi pa po ako satisfied [sa performance namin], but this is a good start for me and the team coming to the second round, pero ayaw ko pong huminto sa naging performance ko today,” Coronel said.

Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said head coach Ramil de Jesus is still aiming for perfection from his squad in the second round with all the teams peaking and adjusting.

“Going into the second round, ‘yun ang sinabi namin sa mga bata na hindi pupwedeng magkampante dahil lahat ng team naka-adjust na, so talagang magiging mahirap,” Orcullo said.

Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo tallied 13 points each for the Lady Tamaraws, which dropped to a 4-4 record to start their second round campaign.

Meanwhile, the University of the East Lady Warriors finally stopped their six-game slide by beating the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20.

They both have a 2-6 record.

Casiey Dongallo spearheaded the offense for the Lady Warriors with 28 points on 25 attacks, two blocks and a service ace, while Riza Nogales and Kayce Balingit added 17 and 10 markers, respectively.

“The girls have been working nonstop. We’ve been working at it [by] reviewing the team videos, strategizing, matching up, looking at possible lineups, and pushing the girls really hard,” Lady Warriors interim head coach Obet Vital said./ASC, WDJ