Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
10 a.m. — NU vs UE (m)
12 p.m. — NU vs UE (w)
2 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo (w)
4 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo (m)

De La Salle University banked on its advantage in height and firepower to bully Far Eastern University en route to a 25-16, 25-18, 25-21, victory to remain unbeaten in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Spikers welcomed the season debut of Alleiah Malaluan but it was the usual suspects, led by rookie sensation Angel Canino, who delivered the goods in their fifth straight win in as many games.

Canino had another stellar performance dropping 13 points — including 11 off spikes — she laced with eight excellent receptions and seven digs for La Salle.

The Lady Spikers controlled most of the match and easily quelled a late run by the Lady Tamaraws in the third set.

“Actually, we didn’t expect to win in straight sets because we know they’re coming off a morale-boosting five-set win over Ateneo,” said La Salle interim coach Noel Orcullo.

“I personally was surprised with how quick the game was. But again, we still have a lot to improve because we still have lapses. We tend to relax whenever we’re up big,” Orcullo added.

FEU briefly held the lead early in the third set and only trailed, 22-21, after a hit by Jovelyn Fernandez. But it was the Lady Tamaraws’ last hurrah as the Lady Spikers strung up three straight points to end the match.

Thea Gagate towered in front of the net punching in nine attacks mostly off sharp quicks and had two kill blocks for 13 points while Leila Cruz and Jolina de la Cruz added 10 points each for La Salle.

Malaluan, who missed the team’s first four games to rest a minor knee injury, was fielded as a substitute for De la Cruz midway through the second set. She scored her lone point on an off the block kill to end the second frame.

The Tamaraws dropped to a 2-3 slate.

Chenie Tagaod was the lone FEU player in double figures with 10 points while Alyzza Devosora finished with nine.

In men’s play, Mark Calado displayed his scoring prowess after nailing 27 points in FEU’s 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 25-21, victory over La Salle.

The Season 80 boys’ division Most Valuable Player smashed 23 spikes off 42 attempts with an ace and three kill blocks, including the game-winning deflection to punctuate the Tamaraws’ third straight win for a 4-1 slate behind unbeaten league-leading reigning champion National University (4-0).

Calado, who also had 27 in FEU’s win over Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday, added six digs for an all-around performance.

Tamaraws head coach Rei Diaz lauded his wards’ performance.

“There are things that he still has to improve on but we all know Mark Calado is the MVP of UAAP high school,” he said. “But I’m glad to hear from him that he believes in the system. We got the win and we stuck with the plan. Very good job.”

Martin Bugaoan added 12 points while Herald Domingo got nine for FEU, which recovered from a third set meltdown and had to hang tough late in the fourth.