UAAP: Net touch or four touches? How the final point of the La Salle-NU match was determined

The second-round match between De La Salle University and National University went down to the wire, and after both teams challenged each other on the court, it was a referee’s challenge that ultimately sealed the victory for the Lady Spikers.

In the fifth set, La Salle was leading 14-13. NU appeared poised to extend the match after a four-touch call on the Taft-based squad.

However, the Lady Spikers challenged for a possible block touch. While the challenge was deemed unsuccessful, the review revealed a net touch violation by Arah Panique.

A referee’s challenge was then initiated, confirming the net touch as the first infraction and awarding the point — and the victory — to La Salle.

Here is how UAAP volleyball commissioner Mike Verano explained the call:

What really happened in the final challenge? Here is UAAP volleyball commissioner Mike Verano's full take.

Gist: Arah Panique touched the net before the four touches call for La Salle. @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/N2BZf51VWZ

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) April 19, 2026

“La Salle coach Ramil [De Jesus] automatically challenged the call for block touch to make sure. Upon review of our video challenge referee, there was no block touch. However, there was net touch. There was another infraction. He conveyed that information to our first referee. That block touch, no — challenge unsuccessful. But there is another infraction, which is net touch.

“Our first referee requested a referee challenge to review the call, and that’s what came up. So the final decision was net touch, yes,” Verano added.

According to Verano, the ball was still active when the first infraction occurred.

“If you look at the video, the initial infraction is what’s called. So when the arm hit the net, the ball was still in play. La Salle hadn’t touched it yet for the fourth time,” he added.

The decision: the net touch happened first before the supposed four touches call.

Verano said both head coaches understood the decision, noting that the referee’s challenge was essential in determining the point.

“If the first referee has doubts with his call, he has the right to request for a referee challenge, which is what he did — to make sure if it was four touches or there was another infraction, which was conveyed to him earlier.

“So, upon review, the ball was still in the air. So, hindi pa nangyari ‘yung infraction of four touches, but may net touch na. So, the first infraction was called.”

La Salle eventually won, 27-25, 15-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13, to complete the elimination round sweep and directly advance to the finals.

—GMA News