SHOW OF FORCE

Again, De La Salle University showed that its vaunted firepower is for real.

The Lady Spikers made another ultimate show of force as they crushed contender Far Eastern University, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22, in Season 86 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Former Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Angel Canino was at her best, delivering 11 attacks, one block and an ace to finish with 13 points for the Lady Spikers, who now hold a 2-0 slate following a masterful straight-set win over Adamson University on the opening day.

Another pre-tournament favorite, University of Santo Tomas also posted its second straight win following an 18-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22 win over University of the East to join the Lady Spikers on top of the team standings of this prestigious collegiate tourney.

Rookie Angeling Poyos dropped 19 hits, three aces and two blocks to deliver 24 points for the Golden Tigresses.

On the contrary, FEU beat La Salle, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, while UST swept University of the Philippines, 28-26, 25-19, 26-24, in the men's division early in the day.

The Tamaraws moved to 2-0 while the Green Spikers suffered their first loss after a sizzling debut against Adamson.

The Lady Spikers, on the other hand, were poised to seal the victory with a 19-13 advantage in the third set of this battle between two of the league's most storied teams.

But the Lady Tamaraws fought back as Alyzza Devosora, Chai Papa, and Ann Asis cut the lead to one, 22-23, that made the match a little interesting.

La Salle, however, displayed composure down the stretch as Asis committed a service error while Canino scored on a drop ball to secure the victory.

Despite the impressive win, Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo admitted that they are still far from their perfect form.

"We struggled a bit because we were too erratic and our moves felt tentative. We had to remind them to return to our system," said Orcullo, speaking on behalf of Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus.

Canino echoed Orcullo's statement, admitting that their lack of effort nearly doomed their chances.

"I felt the effort we showed wasn't enough. All of us felt like we could have moved a lot better and that means we have to double our efforts in training," Canino, who started her career in Bacolod City before playing high school ball at De La Salle Zobel, said.

"We had a lot of errors that we could have avoided."

Shevana Laput added 10 points, while Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan had eight and seven points, respectively for the Lady Spikers, who are sowing fear into the heart of the opposition with their height, skills, experience and winning tradition with 12 titles.

Libero Lyka De Leon also dazzled in her role with 16 excellent digs on 29 attempts and 12 receptions on 21 attempts for La Salle.

Gerzel Petallo had seven points, 10 receptions, and eight digs for the Lady Tamaraws, who opened their campaign with the Fighting Maroons in three sets.