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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Lady Spikers stay grounded after perfect 16-0 season

Lady Spikers stay grounded after perfect 16-0 season

Published May 10, 2026 12:32 pm

At A Glance

  • They might look at ease with a perfect campaign, yet it wasn't an smooth journey at all.
The De La Salle Lady Spikers complete their title redemption bid this UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
The De La Salle Lady Spikers complete their title redemption bid this UAAP Season 88. (UAAP Media)
Sacrifices do pay off.
With tons of patience paired with endless source of energy, De La Salle scaled the peak of UAAP women's volleyball after dethroning reigning champion National University with a historic 16-0 sweep this Season 88.
They might look at ease with a perfect campaign, yet it wasn't an smooth journey at all.
Before realizing a rare feat that needed some extraordinary effort, especially against a bevy of talents across the league, the Lady Spikers knew they were up for a tall task.
Playing in her fourth season, Angel Canino witnessed how the team worked their way through tough times.
“‘Tong season na ‘to, kasi, it's more on sa hard work namin and sa sacrifices namin na ginawa talaga lahat ng mga coaches, lahat ng staff, lahat ng mga players. Tiyaka hugot din, kasi, marami kaming personal na pinagdadaanan din,” said Canino.
“So, isa ‘yon sa mga hugot namin kung bakit gusto namin magpatuloy at ipakita sa mga tao kung ano ‘yong best namin,” added Canino. “And, of course, with the help of the coaches and coach Ramil talaga, kaya na-bring out ‘yong best namin na maglaro ngayon at sana magpatuloy pa kung ano man ‘yong nasimulan.”
The Bacolod City native took control when it mattered the most with a triple-double of 11 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions to steer La Salle to a 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 Game 2 win to sweep NU in their best-of-three Finals series before 22,509 fans inside Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, May 9.
It was a superb performance by the Taft-based squad this edition, but the 5-foot-11 outside hitter remained hungry for more success.
“Always naman talaga, sinasabi ni coach Ramil [de Jesus], na after championship, hindi natatapos lang lahat ng ‘to,” Canino continued. “So, ano man ang napakita ngayon, kailangan mas higitan pa. Kasi ‘yong level ng volleyball mas lalong tumataas. So, mahirap siya, pero at the same time."
Still uncertain to play her final eligibility year, the Alas Pilipinas star is also expecting a hungrier Lady Bulldogs in their title defense next year.
"Di ko kasi masabi na mawawalan ng kumpiyansa 'yong NU, kasi for sure, babalik at babalik ang NU na may malakas na mindset at mas hungry sila next season," said Canino. "Of course sa nangyari ngayon, 'yong ibang teams also 'yong NU gusto nilang maabot 'yong level ng laro, and of course 'di naman kami titigil na hanggang do'n lang kami... kung nangyari 'to samin ngayon, mas may kaya pa kaming ma-achieve na mas mataas."
More than redemption, it is promise fulfilled
As confident and eager as Canino, Laput, who paced them offensively after scoring 20 points and eight digs in the title-clinching win, was named as the Finals MVP.
This championship was surely special for the two veterans after suffering back-to-back heartbreaks that only fueled their desire to win it back this year.
“We made a promise at the beginning of this season, and this is us fulfilling that promise. Thank you La Salle community for believing in us from day one. We thank the Lord for the gifts and talents He gave to us,” said Laput. “We thank our coaches for believing in us every step of the way.”
“For us we were sure, for us we knew that we got this, we manifested it, but more than that, we worked hard for it,” the Filipino-Australian hitter added.

Related Tags

Angel Canino Shevana Laput De La Salle Lady Spikers UAAP Season 88 NU Lady Bulldogs
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