After back-to-back years of falling short, the DLSU Lady Spikers are queens of UAAP volleyball once more.
Redemption with a sweet dash of perfection.
De La Salle University are champions once again after dethroning the NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Finals on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers’ 13th UAAP championship comes after a tough stretch that followed their title romp in Season 85. In Season 86, their title defense ended in a bronze medal, before settling for silver against National U in Season 87.
This year, however, the Lady Spikers were unstoppable, sweeping the elimination round before overwhelming the Lady Bulldogs in their finals rematch to complete their road to redemption.
“Sobrang happy ako dahil nakuha namin ‘yung championship na ito. Ito talaga ‘yung target namin after Season 87. So hindi ko ineexpect na masu-sweep namin ‘yung season. Proud ako sa mga players ko and coaches,” DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus said postgame.
Game 2 was another show of force by DLSU, whose effort on both ends left the Lady Bulldogs with no answers
The Lady Spikers flipped the switch come set 2, even mounting a massive 19-10 advantage en route to a 25-16 set win. Aiding their cause were nine unforced errors from the Lady Bulldogs in the frame.
It was a similar story in Set 3, with DLSU unleashing a 6-0 run to mount a 13-7 advantage they would no longer relinquish, before a late 5-2 finishing kick capped off by Finals MVP Shevana Laput officially sealed the championship for DLSU.
“Hindi natatapos ang lahat ng ito sa isang championship. So kung anoman ‘yung napakita ngayon, kailangan mas higitan pa, kasi ‘yung level ng volleyball mas lalong tumataas. Mahirap siya, but at the same time, itong season na ito kasi, it’s more on sa hardwork and sacrifices na ginawa ng lahat ng mga coaches, staff, players,” said Angel Canino, who finished with a triple-double of 11 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions.
“Hugot din kasi marami kaming personal na pinagdadaanan. So isa ‘yun sa hugot namin kung bakit gusto namin magpatuloy, para maipakita sa mga tao kung ano ‘yung best namin.”
Laput once again paced DLSU with 20 points, while rookie setter Eshana Nunag tossed up 17 excellent sets to dictate the offense. Shane Reterta added eight, while Amie Provido added seven, including the ace that put DLSU at championship point.
For NU, it was Vange Alinsug who went down swinging with 14 points followed by rookie Sam Cantada with eight. Lams Lamina, in her final UAAP game, bowed out with 11 excellent sets.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, DLSU defeated NU 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Finals, sweeping the series to claim their 13th UAAP championship.
Shevana Laput was named Finals MVP after leading DLSU with 20 points in the championship-clinching Game 2, including the finishing kill that sealed the title.
DLSU’s Season 88 win marked their 13th UAAP Women’s Volleyball championship, following a stretch that included a bronze finish in Season 86 and a silver medal loss to NU in Season 87.
Angel Canino recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions in DLSU’s Game 2 championship win over NU.
Vange Alinsug led NU with 14 points, followed by rookie Sam Cantada with eight points, while Lams Lamina tallied 11 excellent sets in her final UAAP game.
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