On Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, LA SALLE maintained its unbeaten streak by thrashing Far Eastern University, 30-28, 25-12, 28-26, in the women’s volleyball championship for UAAP Season 85.

The Lady Spikers defeat returning coach Ramil de Jesus’ alma institution FEU to record their eighth victory in as many games.

With its famous coach Ramil de Jesus returning to the sidelines, La Salle, led by the all-around talent of Angel Canino, Jolina dela Cruz, and Fifi Sharma among many other standouts, is eager to perform even better down the stretch of the season.

As La Salle improved to a 9-0 record, Angel Canino had a stellar performance with 16 points, 15 fantastic receptions, and 14 outstanding digs. Jolina dela Cruz once again offered support with 13 points, 14 great digs, and 6 fantastic receptions.

After falling below.500 for the fourth time this season at 4-5, Tina Salak’s brave wards are still in fifth place behind NU (5-3) even after the defeat (win-loss).

Baby Jyne Soreo, who added 8 points while receiving the starting nod, replaced Leila Cruz, who sustained a season-ending right ACL injury in the previous game versus NU.

In spite of La Salle’s 17-3 winning kick in the second set, which resulted in a 25-12 rout, FEU fought back and led by one set point at 24-23 after two straight Lady Spiker errors.

The Lady Tamaraws, on the other hand, kept making mistakes and were unable to finish the set, even after Alyzza Devosora’s off-the-block goal tied the match at 26 all.

Leading MVP candidate Jolina dela Cruz put out a strong performance that was enhanced by 13 points on 10 attacks, one block, two aces, and 14 superb digs.

When Dela Cruz converted a crosscourt kill for a 27-26 match point, FEU made a costly error with a Jov Fernandez attack that went too low to win the match.

In the first set, the squad had a sluggish start. When FEU drove them to a hard-extended first set, 30-28, La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo remarked, it is as if they were unable to move well.

They were merely reminded that they were leaving the system by it. They were not moving as they had been trained. The team only reminded them of that.

The Lady Tamaraws lost heartbreakingly, dropping to 4-5, as Chen Tagaod led the way with 13 points and Devosora added 10.

On Sunday, April 2, at 2 pm at the Araneta Coliseum, La Salle can formally earn a spot in the Final Four with its 10th victory over rival UST Golden Tigresses.

While it tries to officially eliminate the winless UE Lady Warriors from contention, FEU hopes to get back in the victory column sooner at 12 pm.

On the other hand, the University of Sto. Tomas got back winning ways by defeating the winless UE on Wednesday. 

With 17 points on 15 attempts, one block, and an ace, Eya Laure took control as the Tigresses recovered from a setback to Adamson and moved one game behind the second-place Lady Falcons with a 6-3 (win-loss) record.

With 17 points off of 15 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace, Eya Laure led the winning effort as UST improved to a 6-3 record for third place. Imee Hernandez, Athena Abbu, and Reg Jurado each scored at least 7 points, while Detdet Pepito led the team with 11 superb digs in 16 attempts and 9 excellent catches.

The Tigresses looked dominating from buzzer to buzzer this time, easily winning the first two frames in contrast to their prior match where UE fought UST to a 32-30 first-set surprise.

Even though the Lady Warriors led 16–15 midway through the third, UST hammered down a 10–1 finishing kick, ending with a Renren Peafiel ace for the victory. That was the last hope the Lady Warriors had for an upset.

Three Lady Warriors scored more than ten points in the defeat, which left them with a record of 0-9 and put them in danger of being eliminated. Beside her former squad, ex UST high school standout KC Cepada directed the way with 12 points, trailed by Van Bangayan and Captain Ja Lana, who each recorded 11 and 10.

Up Next

On Sunday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum, UST will try to end the La Salle Lady Spikers’ unbeaten streak while UE plays the FEU Lady Tamaraws at 12:00 p.m.