MANILA, Philippines — 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 22,059, 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 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.
