De La Salle University’s Shevana Laput in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament againt Far Eastern University. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University completed Round 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament with a statement victory over Far Eastern University.
The Lady Spikers tallied their fourth straight win after making quick work of the Lady Tamaraws, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22, in their Saturday evening matchup at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Shevana Laput took charge in the third frame and finished with 22 points, 18 of which came from attacks, three from blocks, and the last one from an ace, Alleiah Malaluan had 12, while Angel Canino contributed 10 markers, eight receptions, and seven digs.
"Happy ako kasi kahit hindi kami halos makapag pahinga at pag-aralan yung FEU, sa short time na yun, nagawa pa rin nila yung mga game plan namin," said La Salle mentor Ramil de Jesus, whose team is coming from a victory over Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday.
"Naka-sunod sila at naka-focus sila hanggang sa matapos yung game," he added.
The Lady Spikers were able to weather a strong start by the Lady Tams in the third frame, and this, according to de Jesus, is to be credited to the near flawless performance which can be seen through their limited errors, 16 to FEU's 20.
"Ito yung isa sa mga gusto kong makita sa kanila, so hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy. Gantong galaw yung hahanapin ko sa kanila every game," the multiple-time UAAP champion coach pointed out.
Aside from this, another key in DLSU's win was the improved playmaking of Mikole Reyes.
She put up all of the Lady Spikers' 20 excellent sets, and she capped it off by converting the 1-2 play for the game-winner that allowed them to improve to 5-2 at the end of Round 1, enough for solo third.
On the other hand, the Morayta-based hitters saw their three-game win streak halted, and they will complete the first round at solo fourth with a 4-3 record.
No Lady Tamaraw finished in double-digits as their leading scorers were Faida Bakanke (nine points), Gerz Petallo (eight points), and Mitzi Panangin and Jean Asis who each had six.