BY MICHAEL JUGADO and ABBY TORALBA
LA Salle moved halfway through its redemption mission against defending champion National University last night.
Behind ace rookie outside hitter Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers hacked out a thrilling 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13 decision over the Lady Bulldogs in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals duel for the 85th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
An Alyssa Solomon hit shoved NU to within 12-13 before the Lady Bulldogs lost Sheena Toring to a left knee injury after landing on the foot of La Salle middle blocker Thea Gagate.
Canino brought the Lady Spikers to match point with a spike before reigning Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen made it 13-14 but NU failed to forge a tie on a crosscourt try by Minierva Maaya.
Before 10,955 fans, Canino dazzled with 21 points off 19 attacks, to go with 14 receptions and two service aces for La Salle, while Gagate chipped in 17 markers on 12 attacks and two blocks.
The triumph powered the Lady Spikers to a 1-0 lead in the race-to-2 series and allowed them to close in on their first title in five years.
The Taft-based belles go for the jugular in the second match set this Sunday, May 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
A deciding Game 3, if necessary, will be played on a date and venue yet to be announced by the league.
“Masaya dahil nakuha naming iyong Game 1. Kahit paano pinaghirapan, siguro talagang ginusto ng mga batang manalo since we were down two sets to one,” La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
“In the fourth set, kumapit sila hanggang fifth set. Ang sabi namin makuha lang namin iyong fourth set tapos kumapit kami sa fifth set at least ipinakita ng mga bata na gusto nilang manalo,” he added.
In men’s play, Gboy De Vega and Josh Ybanez fueled University of Santo Tomas to a 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 victory over Far Eastern University in their stepladder semis tiff.
De Vega poured in 16 points along with eight receptions, while rookie Ybanez recorded 15 markers, 13 excellent receptions and three digs to end the Golden Spikers 11-year finals drought.
With the win, UST forged a best-of-3 finals showdown with unbeaten National University beginning in Game 1 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The España-based crew battled the Tamaraws without strategist Odjie Mamon who currently serves as the assistant coach for the national men’s volleyball team in ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“Hindi naman ito mangyayari kung kami lang. Siyempre nandiyan si God at tsaka iyong guidance ni coach Odjie (Mamon),” Golden Spikers assistant coach Ben Mape said.
“Even though si coach ay nasa Cambodia, iyong monitoring naman niya is nanjan pa rin.”
