At A Glance
- Defending champion De La Salle moved within arm's reach of the twice-to-beat berth with rout of Ateneo, 25-12, 25-12, 25-18, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday, April 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Defending champion De La Salle moved within arm’s reach of the twice-to-beat berth with rout of Ateneo, 25-12, 25-12, 25-18, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, April 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers cruised to their 11th win in 13 outings as they are now locked in with similar records alongside National University Lady Bulldogs and University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.
It was La Salle’s first straight-set victory sans reigning Most Valuable Player Angel Canino in the starting lineup, who has been sidelined following a right arm injury earlier this month.
For the 14th straight time, the Ramil De Jesus-coached La Salle rose on top of the also-ran Ateneo side.
Senior middle blocker Thea Gagate delivered the goods for the Taft based squad with 16 points off 10 kills on 71% attacking efficiency that went with six blocks.
Without Canino’s high percentage offensive presence, though, sophomore opposite spiker Shevana Laput has been stepping up with consistent numbers. This time, she tallied 15 markers of her own including the clincher from the back row that sealed the victory for La Salle.
All that’s left for the Lady Spikers in the eliminations is their important second round rematch with the Golden Tigresses next week which is set to determine their final standings position heading into the semifinal play.
Zel Tunashima and Lyann De Guzman paced the Blue Eagles with six points each.
Ateneo fell 4-9 in the standings as it fights for fifth place.