DE LA Salle University dominated National University, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to complete a 16-0 sweep and emphatically claim the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball championship yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Backed by a roaring crowd of 17,596, the Lady Spikers showcased poise and firepower to snap the Lady Bulldogs’ two-year reign and complete a long-awaited redemption run.
Finals MVP Shevana Laput led the charge with a dominant 20-point outing built on 14 attacks and six blocks, proving to be a constant thorn on NU’s side from start to finish.
Angel Canino complemented her with a superb all-around performance, tallying a triple-double of 11 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 receptions, while Amie Provido chipped in nine markers.
The triumph marked a full-circle moment for La Salle, which missed the finals in Season 86 after a stepladder exit to the University of Santo Tomas and suffered heartbreak against NU in last season’s championship series.
This time, the Taft-based squad left no room for doubt.
La Salle set the tone early, grinding out a tight first-set win behind Laput’s timely hits.
The Lady Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm in the second frame, as the Lady Spikers surged to a commanding 16-8 lead capped by Canino’s through-the-block hit.
NU attempted to mount a response, but Laput’s back-to-back power swings sealed a comfortable 25-16 win and pushed La Salle to the brink of the title.
The third set saw NU briefly keeping pace, tying the score at 7-all before La Salle unleashed a decisive 6-0 run to take control, 13-7.
The Lady Bulldogs tried to fight back with a short rally, but the Lady Spikers quickly extinguished any momentum, extending the lead to 16-10 behind the steady playmaking of setter Eshana Nunag.
Canino and Laput continued to orchestrate the offense as La Salle widened the gap to 19-12.
NU showed heart through Arah Panique and Sam Cantada, but Laput answered with a clutch crosscourt hit to keep the Lady Spikers firmly in control, 20-14.
With contributions from Provido and Shane Reterta, La Salle reached match point, 24-16, before Laput fittingly delivered the championship-clinching hit, sealing both the straight-set victory and the Lady Spikers’ 13th overall title.
NU, which entered the series seeking a third straight championship, was led by Vange Alinsug’s 14 points and Cantada’s nine, but ultimately fell short against a determined La Salle side that refused to be denied.
Meanwhile, in just her sophomore year, Shaina Nitura wasted no time making history, officially becoming Adamson University’s first-ever MVP.
Nitura, who also won MVP and Finals MVP honors in the girls’ division in Season 86, was formally awarded prior to Game 2 of the finals.
She also earned her first Best Outside Spiker citation, joining Canino, who secured the award for the third time in her UAAP career.
Laput claimed her second straight Best Opposite Spiker award while Provido and University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang both retained their Best Middle Blocker titles for the second consecutive season.
Adamson’s Fhei Sagaysay was named Best Setter, while National University’s Shaira Jardio was awarded Best Libero to complete the major individual honors.
Another Lady Bulldog was also recognized; Sam Cantada was named Rookie of the Year.
