LA Salle strengthened its hold on second in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday by humbling arch-rival Ateneo 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Skipper Angel Canino had 16 points and seven digs while opposite spiker Shevana Laput added 14 markers as the Lady Spikers completed a two-game sweep of the Blue Eagles in the eliminations.
Middle blockers Amie Provido and Lilay Del Castillo combined for 17 markers while rookie setter Mikole Reyes dished out 19 excellent sets and a point in the hour and 21-minute action as La Salle improved to 7-3 while handing Ateneo its fourth loss in 10 outings.
The win was La Salle’s 16th straight over Ateneo since the league’s Season 79 Finals.
“Ito talaga iyong goal naming, hawakan iyong second [spot] hanggang sa dulo para at least makuha namin iyong twice-to-beat advantage. Sana magtuloy-tuloy nga. Talaga naman ito iyong isa sa goal naming,” said La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus.
The veteran mentor also lauded playmaker Reyes, younger sister of former La Salle star and current professional volleyball player Mika Reyes, for her decision-making during the match. He also activated her middle blockers aside from aces Canino and Laput.”Diskarte niya (Reyes) iyon kasi nakita niya siguro na kailangan ma-maximize din iyong gitna (middle blockers). So, kung nakikita niya iyong situation bagay doon sa middle so sinusubo niya doon sa middle and then nag-work naman,” De Jesus said.
The green-and-white squad aims for its third consecutive win on Saturday at the same venue when the Lady Spikers face the hapless UE Lady Warriors.
Veterans AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman propelled the Blue Eagles with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
Ateneo tries to bounce back on Saturday when it goes up against last season’s bridesmaids, the UST Golden Tigresses.
