De La Salle University bounced back from a second-set slip to overpower University of the East (UE), securing a 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17 victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

After surrendering the second, La Salle stormed into the third with renewed determination, ignited by Jyne Soreño’s off-the-bench heroics that sparked a 13-1 run.

“What I saw when I was outside was that the connection between us was lost. They were already there, but why did they let go? The respect for the opponent was gone,” said Soreño, who scored nine points in that set alone.

“So in the third set, we stood by our belief that what we did in the second set was wrong. That’s why we were able to bounce back.”

In the fourth set, the Lady Spikers broke away from a close 17-14 margin, with Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Lilay Del Castillo leading the charge while UE flopped with three crucial errors.

“The result of the game wasn’t what we wanted, even though we won. We lost focus in the second set,” said Lady Spikers deputy coach Noel Orcullo.

“We were already ahead, but they relaxed, as if they were just waiting for UE to make mistakes or give up.”

La Salle improved to a 3-2 record.

Angel Canino spearheaded the team with 20 points, comprising 14 attacks, three blocks and three aces. Soreño and Malaluan contributed 12 points each, while Provido added 11.

Van Bangayan was the lone bright spot for UE, scoring 17 points as the Lady Warriors fell to 0-6. Kayce Balingit had nine points, while Khy Cepada was limited to eight.

In the men’s division, La Salle mounted a comeback in the first set and never looked back, sweeping UE 26-24, 25-13, 25-23 in their morning matchup.

MJ Fortuna led La Salle with 13 points from 10 attacks and three blocks.

Vince Maglinao, returning from a grade 2 right ankle sprain, posted his first double-digit performance of the season with 11 points, while Noel Kampton added eight in just two sets of action.

UE remained winless in six games, with rookie Roy Piojo tallying 10 points and newcomer Raquim Aceron contributing nine.

Far Eastern University extended its winning streak to six games after surviving a gritty Adamson University squad, 25-23, 25-20, 31-29, also in men’s play.

Lefty opposite spiker Dryx Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 18 points, including 14 attacks and four blocks, while Mikko Espartero backed him up with 14 points, registering 11 spikes and three blocks.

Jelord Talisayan and Lirick Mendoza chipped in eight points apiece.

Adamson’s Jude Aguilar delivered 16 points, but the Soaring Falcons slipped to a 1-4 record, tying University of the Philippines at joint sixth. Ahmed Tahiluddin contributed 11 points, while Leo Coguimbal finished with seven.