Alas Pilipinas stars Angel Canino and Shai Nitura take the spotlight as De La Salle University shoots for its sixth consecutive win against Adamson in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, March 11.

With Shevana Laput back in action following a sweep win over the University of the East Lady Warriors (0-6), the formidable Lady Spikers (5-0), who remain as the only unbeaten team so far, are out to extend their excellent run over the Nitura-led Lady Falcons (3-2).

It would an exciting face-off of lethal scorers in Canino and Nitura who are set to headline the 1 p.m. duel that will go before a 3 p.m. encounter between host University of Santo Tomas (2-3) and University of the Philippines (3-2), which are both seeking a rebound after absorbing tough losses in their respective previous contests.

Far from its lackluster start in Season 87, La Salle is now on a roll with five straight victories, most of them in straight sets, reaffirming the Taft-based squad’s bold statement early in the season.

Canino and Laput lived up to their promise of bringing back La Salle to the Promised Land after failing to fulfill the assignment in the past two seasons where decorated spiker Bella Belen and the National Lady Bulldogs conquered the collegiate scene.

But for now, Canino was being mindful of the present, noting that Adamson isn't only about Nitura with Francis Mordi still a threat on the floor.

“Siyempre talagang hindi magpapatalo ang Adamson, malakas silang kalaban and makikita mo talaga na matapang sila na kahit ‘di sila lamang on that set, pero nakikita mo na gusto nilang lumaban,” said Canino after La Salle’s 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 win over UE last weekend.

“Marami silang nadagdag na players na willing to contribute… like Mordi, malaking improvement na ginawa nya from last to this year, marami kaming kailangang bantayan… Shaina is Shaina, wala na kaming masasabi dun, Shaina na talaga ‘yon,” she added.

It was a factual assessment from the Bacolod City native as Nitura and Mordi, with setter Fhei Sagaysay doing the playmaking, formed an explosive duo as the Lady Falcons scored a shocking 27-25, 25-22, 25-12 triumph over the Golden Tigresses.

The two Adamson gunners need ample offensive aid from their teammates as La Salle hold a deep roster that include Amie Provido, Shane Reterta, Lilay Del Castillo, Mikee Santos, and rising playmaker Eshana Nunag.

Meanwhile, UST and UP try to vent their ire when they tangle after they both suffered three-set losses to Adamson and Far Eastern University.

Reg Jurado hopes to bolster the fight of her fellow Tigresses, particularly Angge Poyos, who struggled big time the last time out, just as Niña Ytang spearheads the Fighting Maroons' offense.

In the men’s division, La Salle (1-4) and Adamson (1-4) kick off the quadruple action at 9 a.m., where the victor has a chance to seize a solo sixth place, while UST (4-1) goes for a share of second with reigning champion NU (5-1) when it squares off with UP (2-3) at 11 a.m.