JUST LIKE THAT, the seesaw-like UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers continues, as they return to winning ways with Angel Canino leading them.
The Lady Spikers are back in the win column after defeating the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons 25-22, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17 on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Following a crucial five-set loss against the UST Golden Tigresses, the Lady Spikers rebounded and improved to 2-2, tying for third place with the Fighting Maroons and the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Arrows UP
DLSU recovered from an 8-3 deficit in the third set thanks to Canino, Baby Jyne Soreño, and Lilay del Castillo, resulting in a comfortable 2-1 lead for the Taft team before entering the fourth set.
However, the Lady Spikers were only ahead 16-15 in the fourth set, but Shevana Laput, Canino, and del Castillo led a nine-to-two closing run to seal the victory over the Fighting Maroons.
Meanwhile, UP suffered its second consecutive loss after opening the season with two straight wins. They’ve defeated the FEU Lady Tams and the UE Lady Warriors, but they lost to the ADMU Blue Eagles before this game.
Canino had a standout effort, scoring 24 points on 20 attacks and four blocks, as well as five digs and four catches, while Laput contributed 20 points and five receptions.
Irah Jaboneta led the Diliman squad in a losing effort with 15 points, 11 receptions, and eight digs, while Joan Monares added 11 points.
Taft Stays Tough
Canino, a former UAAP Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, says that the only thing La Salle needs to do is stay tough, in order for them to continue to stitch up some wins and turn their season around.
“Kahit na galing po kami sa talo, and yung standing namin parang on edge din, parang yung mindset talaga namin is one day at a time lang,” said Canino, who led the way during the third set.
“Ang maganda ngayon is may nagkakaroon na rin kami ng kumpyansa as a team and sa sarili kaya sana madala dala din po namin yun every game,” she went on to explain.
While the Lady Spikers may have suffered a setback against the Golden Tigresses, Canino stated that the team is gradually figuring out how to handle this season, especially with new players.
“Tough loss talaga siya nung nangyari against UST. Kinapitan namin ng sobra sobra at nilaban namin, pero kulang pa rin. Kaya kailangan namin magdobleng kayod din sa training,” she said.
“Kailangan din namin magkaroon pa more ng connections sa bawat isa and after ng pagkatalo namin na ‘yon,” she added.
Change of Gears
Prior to this season, Canino and Laput were considered promising collegiate league prospects. However, due to the sudden changes in their lineup, they are now obliged to shift gears and become the veteran leaders.
“Being one of the ates on the court, Angel and I, there’s a standard that we need to bring because we know that the team trusts in us,” Laput highlighted.
“We need to be able to be there for them so that they can rely on us, and that they are allowed to make those mistakes and grow as players.”
“I believe that our team is going in the right direction. We all just need to keep contributing, keep sticking to our system and doing our best because the fruits will come,” she said in an separate interview.
DLSU will try to build momentum and continue their winning run against the UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, while UP will look to regroup against the UST Golden Tigresses on Wednesday.
