MANILA, Philippines – Against the NU Lady Bulldogs in the opening round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate a point. 

La Salle swept the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball competition on Wednesday after expertly starting off on fire and denying National University any chance of recovery, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21.

With 14 points, including 11 assaults, rookie Angel Canino tore through the opposition’s defense. Veteran players Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Jolina Dela Cruz also contributed to the team’s decisive victory.

According to La Salle interim coach Noel Orcullo, he did not anticipate sweeping their opponents in straight sets. Prior to the game, the team’s objective was to adhere to their strategy. However, they were able to synchronize and perform well.

The Lady Spikers not only prevailed in every match they played in the first round, but they also exacted revenge on NU for destroying them in a best-of-three championship showdown in Season 84 in just two games.

The Lady Spikers triumphed for the first time in five games against NU since Season 81 thanks to the 20 great sets from team captain Mars Alba, 15 digs from the defensive end from Ylizyeth Jazareno, and three blocks apiece from Gagate and Leila Cruz.

Canino emphasized that their recent achievement was not solely because of his own efforts, but rather a collective result of the team’s performance. He stated that they were able to witness their full potential as a team.

With its second loss in the opening round, NU is now tied for third place with the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses and Adamson Lady Falcons at 5-2. 

The exploits of Canino and Cruz helped the Lady Spikers dominate the first set as they sprinted to thrash the Lady Bulldogs into submission. 

Before the Cruz-Canino combination delivered the punches, La Salle had rapidly scored eight straight points, barely encountered any opposition, and found itself in a commanding 20-10 advantage.

The Lady Spikers won the first set against the defending champions thanks to a Cruz spike off the block and a Canino drop. The entire 2017 season, they were unable to steal a set from NU.

The narrative did not go in NU’s favor in the next frames, as Fifi Sharma scored the necessary points for La Salle to win the second set 12–5.

The Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to six points thanks to Bella Belen and Princess Robles, but those efforts failed as mistakes plagued them in addition to the constant bombardment they received from Sharma and Canino.

By blocking Robles’ powerful shot at the net, Jolina Dela Cruz ended the second set.

The Lady Bulldogs managed to give their devoted following a reason to smile by making it difficult for La Salle in the final set despite being silenced by the two-set deficit.

The NU attack was led by Evangeline Alinsug and Sheena Toring, but La Salle soon regrouped as Sharma and Gagate combined to pierce the Lady Bulldogs’ side before Dela Cruz delivered the finishing blow—a crosscourt spike on an open floor.