By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers completed a season sweep of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles after blanking them, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18, in their second-round clash in the ongoing UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball last April 23, 2023, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite the better outing the Blue Eagles showed in their second matchup of the season, the ladies in green showed their depth and talent after overcoming a tough challenge in all three sets.
Shevana Laput, the rookie sensation of the Lady Spikers who emerged during the past three games, continued her solid outing and led the team with a new career-high of 16 points built from 25 successful attacks.
The towering Laput was all over the court, punishing Ateneo’s middle blockers while also operating on the defensive end especially when the Lady Spikers closed the third set with a blocking party.
Backstopping Laput is another rookie star Angel Canino who dropped 13 points while leading the floor coverage defense with 11 excellent receptions.
It was Canino who shouldered DLSU’s late flurry in the third set, preventing Ateneo from catching up when superstar Faith Nisperos started to regain her momentum in the game.
“Medyo slow start kami eh, so pinaalala lang namin na play with pride. Hindi tayo pupwedeng nagre-relax dahil yung Ateneo lumalaban,” said DLSU interim head coach Noel Orcullo after the game.
The Gagate, DLSU’s heart and soul in the middle blocking department, also showed out for her team after chipping in 12 markers while senior spiker Jolina Dela Cruz had eight points and 11 excellent receptions.
DLSU will have the chance to finish the elimination round on a high note when they square off against the University of the East (UE) on April 29, 2023.
