UAAP women’s volleyball: La Salle ekes out straight-sets win vs FEU

De La Salle University eked out a 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 victory over Far Eastern University to open its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After a dominant second set by the Lady Spikers, the Lady Tamaraws mounted a strong challenge in the third and grabbed a 16-12 lead behind a 10-3 run.

Angel Canino and Shevana Laput sparked La Salle’s response with a 6-0 run to regain control. The Taft-based squad moved ahead, 21-19, but Mitzi Panangin and Lovely Lopez helped FEU reclaim the lead. A costly La Salle error then handed the Lady Tamaraws a 23-21 advantage.

Canino trimmed the deficit, but a service error by Eshana Nunag gave FEU set point. Laput and Canino steadied La Salle, tying the set at 24 before another FEU error pushed the Lady Spikers to match point.

FEU saved one point, but Laput sealed the win with back-to-back points.

Laput finished with 23 points built on 20 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, along with five digs to lead the Lady Spikers. Alas Pilipinas players Angel Canino and Amie Provido added 15 and 11 points, respectively. Nunag, meanwhile, 12 of La Salle’s 13 excellent sets as she also posted three points.

Gerz Petallo paced FEU with 11 points, while Cla Loresco chipped in eight.

La Salle returns to action next against the University of Santo Tomas, while FEU faces the University of the East.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News