By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers hardly broke a sweat against arch-rival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with a dominant 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 victory in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, April 21.

Thea Gagate led the way with 16 points, while Shevana Laput added 15 markers as the Lady Spikers improved to an 11-2 record, tying the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on top.

The Lady Spikers kicked off the first set with a fiery 10-3 score behind Laput and Alleiah Malaluan. It quickly grew to double-digits at 17-7 and later at 21-9 courtesy of their solid blocking.

It was the same start for the Lady Spikers in the second set as they jumped to a 13-7 edge before quickly widening it to double-digits at 22-10 behind connections from Malaluan and Ilongga Amie Provido.

The Blue Eagles kept the game tight in the third set, trailing only 13-14, but the Lady Spikers unleashed a finishing run behind Laput and Gagate to wrap up the rivalry game in three sets.

Yssa Nisperos, Zel Tsunashima and Lyann de Guzman finished with six points apiece as the Blue Eagles dropped to a 4-9 record.

Meanwhile, Angeline Poyos achieved another UAAP feat as the Golden Tigresses scored a 25-19, 25-9, 25-17 triumph over University of the East Lady Warriors.

The Boholana rookie finished with 25 points, on 21 attacks, three service aces and a block, as the Golden Tigresses tied NU on top with an 11-2 win-loss slate.

Poyos also set a new UAAP rookie scoring record with 268 total points, breaking the 267 rookie points of former Blue Eagles star Faith Nisperos in UAAP Season 84.

Regina Jurado added 11 markers, including nine attacks and two blocks, while Athena Sophia Abbu and Jonna Perdido both contributed six points apiece for the Golden Tigresses./ASC, WDJ