INCENTIVE SECURED: Canino soars high, powers La Salle to semis bonus

De La Salle University pulled off a gritty come-from-behind win over University of Santo Tomas (UST), 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27, to claim the twice-to-beat advantage in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament playoff on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Angel Canino made her presence felt, helping the Lady Spikers secure the semifinal incentive that put them a win away from booking a return trip to the best-of-three finals against the winner of the other semifinal pairing between National University and Far Eastern University.

The Lady Spikers will face the Growling Tigresses anew in the Final Four on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Canino led the charge with 24 points built on 19 kills, four blocks, and an ace while opposite hitter Shevana Laput added 22 points, including 19 kills, for the Lady Spikes, who tightened their defensive screws with a season-high 20 blocks against UST’s eight.

Amie Provido anchored the net defense with five blocks to finish with 10 points in a breakthrough performance.

“It was important because my coaches and teammates believed in me,” Provido said.

“Before, I didn’t have that much confidence in my blocking, but because of our coaches and the whole team, I found the strength to believe I could do it.”

The Taft-based squad’s defensive stand was especially crucial in the extended fourth set, where they fended off multiple UST set points to avoid a decider.

It was a revenge win that was six years in the making for the Lady Spikers, who finally atoned for their playoff loss to the Golden Tigresses in Season 81 — a defeat that snapped their 10-year streak of finals appearances.

UST’s Angge Poyos erupted for 24 points on 23 attacks in a losing effort, while Reg Jurado chipped in 12 points with four service aces.

Lady Spikers deputy coach Noel Orcullo praised his team’s composure and resilience.

“We told them the fight wasn’t over,” Orcullo said.

“We caught up in the first set even after getting left behind, so why not fight for this fourth set? As long as UST hasn’t hit 25, don’t give up. Show that we can take it one point at a time.”

La Salle now holds the edge heading into their fourth Final Four encounter with UST in five seasons. Historically, teams with the twice-to-beat advantage have advanced in all of their playoff duels.

Interestingly, UST had the upper hand and eliminated La Salle in both Seasons 81 and 86. But the tables were turned in Season 85, when the Lady Spikers dispatched the Golden Tigresses on their way to capturing their 12th UAAP women’s volleyball crown.

The latest victory also exorcised the ghosts of 1 May 2019 when UST defeated La Salle in a similar playoff for the No. 2 seed.

Now, with momentum and history on their side, the Lady Spikers are poised for a strong push back to the UAAP finals.