De La Salle University got back on the winning track in the hardest way possible as it bled for every point against the gritty University of Santo Tomas in a five-set showdown Saturday evening, March 29.

The Lady Spikers needed more than what they have been practicing in the offseason, arming themselves with the experience and strong desire to win.

The Taft-based squad prevailed, 15-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-20, 16-14.

“Since last year, we’ve lost to UST, and we played [against] them how many times, so imagine the build-up, the hugot we have felt,” said Shevana Laput, who scored seven of her 16 points in the fifth set.

“So of course, we played that with our hearts, if we want to win more, we know we deserve to win, and we put in the effort,” she added.

UST was a kryptonite to La Salle’s run as it beat the Lady Spikers for four straight times in the eliminations since Season 85.

There, the Tigresses were the lone squad to decimate the Lady Spikers, who eventually snared the championship of that year.

But the drought finally ended with skipper Angel Canino and Laput taking the command in DLSU’s assault, especially their timely hits in the late game and in front of thousands of fans inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“It’s been a long time coming and this is what we’ve been wanting, ever since last year, it’s a big hugot for us,” stressed Laput. “I’m proud of us for getting to this [win] and I'm happy with the result. But of course, there's always room for improvement.”

Canino wasn’t able to attend the post press conference as she was immediately escorted back to the locker room and was rushed to the nearest hospital due to dizziness after her accidental collision with Laput in the fourth set.

Despite the scare, the Season 85 rookie-MVP managed to preside La Salle’s offense with season-high 27 points off 24 kills, one ace, and two blocks with 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.

“Yon ‘yong pinaalala namin no’ng fifth set… [kung] gustuhin nating manalo eto na ‘yong pagkakataon, nandito na,” said La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo.

“Huwag na tayong bumitaw, huwag bibitawan hangga’t naglalaro tayo…  basta gustuhin nyo lang,” he added.

It was also a sweet revenge for La Salle which fell short to UST, 25-12, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13, in their first-round encounter last month.

“Talagang mas pinusuan namin this game, kasi may hugot kami, so mas kailangan namiing pusuin at magtiwala sa isa’t isa na kaya namin,” said Alleiah Malaluan. “Ngayon kinapitan talaga namin hanggang dulo,” added Amie Provido.

With a 6-3 card at second spot, La Salle goes for its second straight victory when it faces its arch-rival and streaking Ateneo (4-5) this Wednesday, April 2, at the same venue.