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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider La Salle achieves historic 'Sweet 16', dethrones NU in rousing fashion

La Salle achieves historic 'Sweet 16', dethrones NU in rousing fashion

Published May 9, 2026 06:45 pm  |  Updated May 10, 2026 12:31 pm

At A Glance

  • De La Salle University stayed true to its words as it completed a historic "Sweet 16" after dismantling reigning champion National University in Game 2, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to reclaim the UAAP crown this Season 88 women's volleyball Finals at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Angel Canino makes it happen for La Salle. (UAAP Media)
Angel Canino makes it happen for La Salle. (UAAP Media)
Angel Canino said it first and she made it work.
De La Salle University stayed true to its words as it completed a historic “Sweet 16” after dismantling reigning champion National University in Game 2, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to reclaim the UAAP crown this Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Determined to return to the top of women’s side anew, the Lady Spikers simply repeated their Game 1 brilliance with Canino and Shevana Laput taking turns to anchor their offense to keep them afloat, especially in the second and third sets, to breeze past the mighty Lady Bulldogs.
Apart from avenging their previous two Finals losses to the Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Spikers achieved a perfect season – the very same feat that was achieved by NU in Season 84 nearly four years ago.
It marked the 13th overall crown for the Taft-based squad and for longtime head coach Ramil De Jesus. Canino and Laput, on the other hand, clinched their second title.
The Bacolod City native Canino logged a triple-double effort of 11 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions, while Finals MVP Laput starred with 20 points and eight digs. Shane Reterta, for her part, listed eight points, two digs, and nine receptions.
Amie Provido and Lilay Del Castillo chipped in nine and eight points, respectively, while Eshana Nunag chalked 17 excellent sets, four digs, and two points. Lyka May De Leon put up 10 digs and seven receptions for La Salle.
Lams Lamina, who concluded her 11-year stay with NU winning three championships, posted 11 excellent sets and three digs, while Vange Alinsug finished as lone double-digit scorer with 14 points, four digs and four receptions.
Rookie of the Year Sam Cantada backed her up with eight points, while Chams Maaya and Arah Panique combined for 13 points in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, sophomore Shai Nitura was officially crowned as this year’s Season MVP, becoming the first Adamson player to win the said plum in the distaff side.
Nitura, 21, took home the highest individual award with a massive gap over her closer pursuers, tallying 98.511 statistical points (SPs), after helping the Lady Falcons secure their first Final Four berth since Season 85.
The former juniors Season and Finals MVP also bagged the Best Outside Spiker award, a plum she shared with Canino, whose teammate Laput was named as Best Opposite Spiker for the second straight season while Provido pocketed the Best Middle Blocker along with University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang.
Nitura’s fellow Lady Falcon in Fhei Sagaysay took the Best Setter trophy, while NU's Shaira Jardio was feted as the Best Libero. The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses were also present to take their bronze-medal award.

Related Tags

Angel Canino De La Salle Lady Spikers NU Lady Bulldogs UAAP Season 88 Ramil de Jesus
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