By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle overcame a lethargic start and demolished National University, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, in Game 1 of their best-of-three Finals series in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament here at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, May, 6.
No thanks to a two-week break, the Lady Spikers appeared rusty as they struggled early in the game before rediscovering their offensive rhythm to erase an 8-14 deficit behind the efforts of Angel Canino and Shane Reterta to steal the opening set.
From there, La Salle was never in trouble again as it dictated the tempo and kept NU at bay to move one win away from completing its title redemption bid as well as avenging its sweep loss in Season 87 Finals.
Game 2 is set Saturday, May 9, at the same venue, where the Lady Spikers have an opportunity to bring back the crown at Taft – a feat it last achieved in Season 85 – and deny the Bulldogs’ three-peat bid.
That will also enable the Lady Spikers to exorcise the ghost of 2014 Finals loss to rival Ateneo.
It was a big sigh of relief, especially for head coach Ramil de Jesus as the last time La Salle went perfect in the elimination for an outright Finals berth. They got blanked by the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 76 Finals where they squandered a rare thrice-to-beat advantage.
“Para sa akin, I think advantage ‘yong pahinga namin. Unang-una, sinasabi ko nga sa team na mahirap na stepladder kasi nama-master ng mga teams ‘yong pressure… ‘yon ‘yong advantage nila,” said De Jesus.
“Ang nakita ko kanina medyo mabagal ‘yong start namin, pero eventually… naka-adjust na ‘yong team at nakasasabay sa ganung klaseng labanan,” he added. “Na-overcome na nila ‘yong pressure.”
Canino steered La Salle once more with 17 points, nine digs, and five receptions, while Reterta uncorked 11 points along with nine excellent digs and 23 excellent receptions. Shevana Laput, for her part, had a quiet 11 points and five digs.
“Super happy ako kasi lahat talaga ng pinasok nag-step up, lahat nagpakita na kung sino mang ipasok [ready]. Of course, ‘yong kapit as a team, nakita ko na kaya naming kumapit,” said Canino.
Amie Provido also contributed 12 points, Eshana Nunag posted 19 excellent sets, one dig, and one point for the Lady Spikers, who flashed their defensive masterclass, especially after neutralizing Sam Cantada to just two points.
As Cantada endured a measly outing, Arah Panique powered NU with 18 points and three digs, Vange Alinsug scored 12 points, while Chams Maaya added five points. Lams Lamina listed 14 excellent sets, two points, and four digs, while Shair Jardio logged 20 digs and 12 receptions all in a losing cause.
