(UPDATE) THE De La Salle Lady Spikers secured the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball after taking down the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Sunday.
The Ramil de Jesus-designed program has now made the semifinals for the 16th straight season or since Season 71.
Entering the Holy Week break, the league-leading La Salle stayed undefeated at 10-0 and dragged the sixth-running UP to a 4-6 slate in the 14-game elimination round.
Either the third seed Adamson Lady Falcons (6-4) or the fifth-running UST Golden Tigresses (5-4) will end up with five losses since they will still face each other, thereby securing the Lady Spikers' semis entry.
The Golden Tigresses were playing the third seed FEU Lady Tamaraws (6-3) at press time Sunday.
"We're just preparing for every game and whatever the standing we have right now is just secondary, a mere result of what we do," said de Jesus.
"Whatever comes, I just told my players to keep preparing, give respect to the opponents despite we already beat them in the first round because they will all adjust (in the second round)."
Angel Canino finished with 15 points to lead La Salle, including two in the final stretch of the match.
The Season 85 MVP unleashed a kill and then an ace to her team at match point before an attack error by Fina Ali clinched the match for the Lady Spikers.
"Of course, we're happy that we've made the Final Four but at the same time, we're not gonna stop because we still have a lot of games. We need to focus on who or what's next for us," Canino, who added six excellent digs and two receptions to her name, said.
Eshana Nunag tossed 15 excellent sets and logged two points while Shevana Laput topscored with 16 points.
Shane Reterta pumped nine points, six digs, and three receptions for La Salle, which will next face FEU on April 8.
Kianne Olango paced the Fighting Maroons with eight points and six receptions.
Nina Ytang and Jelai Gajero chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.