By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers overcame a third-set deficit to defeat the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, March 25.
Negrense Angel Canino spearheaded the offense with 16 points, while Shevana Laput and Shane Reterta added 14 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Lady Spikers improved to a pristine 9-0 record, keeping their firm grip on the top spot of the standings.
La Salle appeared to be in full control early, dominating the opening set with a commanding 25-12 victory.
However, the Golden Tigresses bounced back in the second frame, 25-18, to level the match as they found their rhythm on both ends.
UST carried its momentum into the third set and looked poised to take the upper hand after building a 20-12 advantage.
But La Salle mounted a crucial comeback, chipping away at the deficit behind timely hits and solid defense before stealing the set, 25-23, to move ahead, two sets to one.
The Lady Spikers sustained their charge in the fourth set to close out the match in four sets, completing the turnaround and preserving their unbeaten run.
The loss dropped the Golden Tigresses to a 5-4 slate, snapping their three-game winning streak.
They were led by Angeline Poyos’ 20 points and Regina Jurado’s 12 markers.
Meanwhile, the Adamson University Lady Falcons bolstered their Final 4 bid after dispatching the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-17, 27-25, 25-16.
Shaina Nitura spearheaded the offense with 25 points, while Frances Mordi added 15 markers as the Lady Falcons improved to a 5-4 record, joining the UST Golden Tigresses in a tie for fourth place.
With the score tied at 25-all in the second set, Nitura stepped up for the Lady Falcons, hammering a crucial off-the-block hit to gain the advantage before closing out the set with a service ace.
Riding the momentum of that escape, the Lady Falcons came out firing in the third set, racing to a commanding 9-2 start that set the tone for the eventual sweep.
Ateneo, meanwhile, absorbed another setback as it dropped to 1-8 for the season. Zel Tsunashima and Alex Montoro top-scored for them with nine markers apiece./ASC, WDJ