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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider La Salle takes big stride in mission to reclaim UAAP crown

La Salle takes big stride in mission to reclaim UAAP crown

Published Feb 23, 2026 12:22 pm  |  Updated Feb 23, 2026 05:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Despite roster changes that bolstered the lineup of several UAAP teams, De La Salle has proven in its last two games that remaining intact offers no disadvantage in its bid to reclaim the women's volleyball title.
(UAAP Media)
(UAAP Media)
Despite roster changes that bolstered the lineup of several UAAP teams, De La Salle has proven in its last two games that remaining intact offers no disadvantage in its bid to reclaim the women's volleyball title.
After blanking Far Eastern University in the opener, La Salle stamped its class anew after scoring another sweep of Season 87 semifinalist University of Santo Tomas last Sunday, Feb. 22, at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Spikers imposed their will in the first two sets before pulling off a stunning comeback in the third to hack out a 25-14, 25-15, 26-24 victory against the Golden Tigresses.
“Of course, a strong team like UST pushes us to be our best. At the end of the day, we are our worst opponent, we are our best opponent,” said Shevana Laput, who finished with 22 points, including those blocks and hits that turned a 22-24 deficit into a 26-24 escape.
“We played better, because we want to play better, no matter what team we played against, we will play our best,” she added.
That resolve was echoed by Laput and Angel Canino after their win over FEU, stressing that the Lady Spikers are determined to take their game and their campaign to greater heights this season.
“Bago po kami pumasok sa UAAP mataas po ‘yong kumpiyansa namin sa sarili namin, isa ‘yon sa nagbibigay kumpiyansa samin kasi bawal din talaga kami bumaba,” said Canino.
“Ayon na ‘yong legacy namin, ayaw na naming bumalik sa heartbreak na naramdaman namin for the past few years na nandito kami sa UAAP,” she added. “As seniors, gusto namin iparamdam sa mga teammates namin at sa mga tao na walang nag-iba kundi umakyat sa taas hindi na para bumaba kami.
It came after the Lady Spikers fell short of their championship bid, yielding to the Lady Bulldogs in last year’s finals, a loss that dashed their hopes of returning the crown to Taft which last happened in Season 85 where Canino was once a multi-awarded super rookie.
Aside from hiking its slate to 2-0, La Salle bettered its start from last season where it had a 1-2 record, which became one of the school’s worst starts under head coach Ramil de Jesus’ long tenure with the Taft-based squad.
“Napaghandaan lang namin ng [maayos] ‘yong UST, ‘yong game plan ni coach [Ramil] na sinabi sa kanila, nasunod lang, ginusto nilang manalo kaya ayon ‘yong resulta, kailangan nilang paghirapan talaga,” said La Salle depute Noel Orcullo.
“Just like coach [Noel] just said, we wanted to win this game, of course we wanted to win in all games in three sets… we just really showed the La Sallian puso, right there,” said Laput.
La Salle looks forward to extending its win streak to three against University of the Philippines this Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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