By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers weathered a gritty challenge from the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, April 8.

Negrense Angel Canino and Shevana Laput led the charge for the Lady Spikers with 23 points apiece, while Amie Provido added 16 markers as La Salle improved to a pristine 11-0 record.

After cruising through the first two sets, the Lady Spikers encountered stiff resistance from the Lady Tamaraws, who fought back to extend the match to a deciding fifth set behind their steady offense.

In the final frame, La Salle seized early control with a 3-1 advantage, but FEU refused to go away, trimming the gap to 5-3.

The Lady Spikers, however, regained their rhythm and widened the margin to 8-4 at the switch.

The Lady Tamaraws stayed within striking distance at 9-7, but La Salle created enough separation late in the set to seal the victory, 15-10.

Lovely Lopez paced FEU with 16 points, while Gerzel Petallo chipped in 14 and Faida Bakanke added 10 as the Lady Tamaraws dropped to a 6-5 slate.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons took care of business against also-ran Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-20, 25-14, 25-23, to revive its Final 4 hopes.

The Fighting Maroons bounced back from a loss to improve their record to 5-6, staying in sixth place but just one game behind fifth-running Adamson Lady Falcons at 6-5.

Niña Ytang took charge with 18 points on 13-of-22 attacks, three blocks and two aces.

Jelai Gajero added 13 points on six spikes and seven blocks, while Irah Jaboneta contributed 12 points and five digs.

Negrense rookie Dona de Leon led Ateneo with seven points as the Blue Eagles fell to a 1-10 win-loss card./ASC, WDJ