By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers quickly recovered from their first dropped set of the season and defeated the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 1.

Despite missing team captain Shevana Laput for the second straight game due to illness, the Lady Spikers showed their depth and composure to preserve their unblemished 4-0 record.

Negrense Angel Canino spearheaded the offense with 21 points, to go with 11 excellent receptions, while Kathrina del Castillo and Ilongga Amie Provido contributed 18 and 17 points, respectively, for DLSU.

DLSU opened the match in commanding fashion, controlling the first set with steady offense and solid floor defense.

Ateneo responded in the second frame, capitalizing on La Salle’s errors and seizing control late to level the match at one set apiece.

The Lady Spikers reasserted themselves in the third and fourth set, with Canino and Del Castillo leading the offensive surge, while the team tightened its defense to regain momentum.

Ilongga Ana Hermosura top-scored for the Blue Eagles with 18 points, while Jennifer delos Santos added 15 markers as they fell to 0-4.

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws recovered from a slow start to defeat the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20.

The Lady Tamaraws leaned on Faida Bakanke, who delivered 22 points built on 17 attacks and five blocks, to help the team climb to a 2-2 mark after four matches.

Alyssa Devosora backed Bakanke with a strong all-around effort, finishing with 18 points and 15 excellent receptions.

Gerzel Petallo chipped in 10 points to bolster the Lady Tamaraws’ attack.

Adamson drew another standout performance from Shaina Nitura, who tallied 22 points along with 31 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs in a losing effort.

They dropped to a 2-2 record./ASC, WDJ