ANGEL Canino and De La Salle University advanced into the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage after turning back University of Santo Tomas 23-25, 25-22, 30-28, 29-27 yesterday in their playoff for the No. 2 spot of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In a preview of their Final Four duel against UST, team captain Canino shone with a triple-double performance of 24 points on 19 attacks, four blocks and a service ace, on top of 12 excellent receptions and 10 digs for the green-and-white crew.
Opposite spiker Shevana Laput also sizzled for the Taft-based squad with 22 markers, veteran Alleiah Malaluan scored 11, while Amie Provido added 10 points, including five blocks.
“Ipinakita ng mga bata iyong puso na gusto nilang manalo. Siguro kaya naging ganun iyong resulta kasi sabi nga namin sa kanila, hindi pa tapos iyong laban kaya pa nating dumikit. Nadikitan nga natin nung first set. Iniwan tayo pero nadikitan natin. Bakit hindi natin tiyagain na kunin natin itong set na ito,” La Salle deputy mentor Noel Orcullo said.
“Kaya ang sabi nga namin, hangga’t hindi nag-25 [score], huwag kayong bibitaw. Kapitan niyo. Kaya natin iyan, unti-unti. One point at a time at iyon dumating nga. Inisa-isa namin na nakuha naman [iyong panalo],” he added.
The Lady Spikers displayed their mastery on defense with a team total of 20 kill blocks compared to the Golden Tigresses’ eight.
“Ang ganda ng blocking namin ngayon na nakaka-read na sila. Kumbaga, iyong tini-training namin na blocking siguro nagma-matter ngayon, lumalabas. Sumusunod na sila sa binibigay na instruction sa kanila. So ayun, naging maganda iyong blocks.” said the La Salle longtime assistant coach.
Angge Poyos led UST with a triple-double outing of 24 points, 13 digs and 12 excellent receptions while Regina Jurado added 12 points.
This Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, La Salle and UST clash anew in the semifinals. Battling in the other women’s game are defending champion National U and Far Eastern U, with the Lady Bulldogs enjoying a twice-to-beat edge.
“Sabi ko nga kanina sa kanila nung pagkatapos, sabi ko hindi pa tapos iyong laban. Nakuha lang natin iyong twice-to-beat pero dadating tayo doon sa actual na semifinals na tayo iyong may advantage so kailangan panghawakan na natin itong advantage na nakuha natin. Huwag na nating bitawan pa,” said Orcullo.
The Bella Belen-captained Lady Bulldogs are vying for their fourth consecutive final appearance.
In the men’s division, five-peat seeking NU clashes against fourth-seeded UST, followed by the duel between second-seeded FEU and third-seeded DLSU.
