De La Salle University’s arrows proved sharper in dangerous moments.
With Adamson University threatening to halt the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten run, veterans Shevana Laput and Amie Provido teamed up with rookie Shane Reterta in a decisive closing run in the fifth set for a thrilling, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 15-5, escape in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle had extra fuel in its tank to outlast the Lady Falcons in the two-hour, 28-minute encounter and remain unscathed after six starts.
The Lady Spikers rediscovered their killer instinct in the final stretch of the fifth set when they unleashed a finishing 8-0 blow behind the trio of Reterta, Provido and Laput.
“When we lost in the fourth set, we told them that this is a character (game). This is the chance for them to show what they’ve been training and working hard for. This will test what kind of character they have. They showed their character. They really want to fight. They want to win. They want this win and they got it,” La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
The victory also boosted the Lady Spikers’ momentum heading into Sunday’s finals rematch against three-peat-seeking National University.
“At least our young players have experienced how it was to play in the fifth set. We don’t see this as disadvantage for us but a good lesson for our rookies and us veterans. At least the kids got to experience the ups and downs of emotions and skills as well as the chance to show our character inside the court,” La Salle ace Angel Canino said.
Laput fired 26 points on 19 kills, six kill blocks and one ace while Canino scattered a triple-double of 19 markers, 12 digs and 11 excellent receptions for the Lady Spikers, who hosted a block party with 15 kill deflections.
Protecting a slim 7-5 lead in the fifth set, Reterta sparked La Salle’s finishing blow with a kill, igniting eight straight points for the Lady Spikers. She closed out the victory with back-to-back kills.
Reterta had 10 points, four in the final frame, and provided 11 digs and 12 excellent receptions for the Lady Spikers.
Lilay Del Castillo had eight markers, half coming off kill blocks, while Amie Provido also scored nine with three coming from kill blocks. Rookie setter Eshana Nunag tallied 23 excellent sets to help the Taft-based squad convert 56 attack points.
The Lady Falcons, whose 8-1 run in the fourth set opened a 16-7 advantage that paved the way for the decider, fell to a 3-3 record.
Frances Mordi had 22 points and Shaina Nitura finished with 21 markers, 17 excellent receptions and 10 digs in a lost cause for Adamson.
In men’s play, University of Santo Tomas extended its winning run to five after adding University of the Philippines on its list of victims with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, sweep for a 5-1 record tied with six-peat-seeking NU.
The Fighting Maroons have now dropped three straight games, sliding to 2-4 in a three-way tie for fourth place with Ateneo De Manila University and the De La Salle University.
Meanwhile, the Green Spikers outhustled the Falcons, 25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, for back-to-back wins.
Adamson absorbed a fifth straight defeat for a 1-5 slate tied with University of the East at the cellar.