By MARK REY MONTEJO
Angel Canino said it first and she worked hard for it to make her dream title-win a reality.
La Salle stayed true to its words as it completed a historic “Sweet 16” after dethroning National University, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in Game 2 of their title series to reclaim the UAAP crown this Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Determined to return to the top of women’s side anew, the Lady Spikers replicated their Game 1 showing with Canino and Shevana Laput taking turns in anchoring the team’s offense, keeping them afloat, especially in the second and third sets, to breeze past the Lady Bulldogs.
Apart from avenging their previous two Finals losses to the Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Spikers achieved a perfect season – the very same feat that was achieved by NU in Season 84 nearly four years ago.
It marked the 13th overall crown for the Taft-based squad and for long time head coach Ramil De Jesus. Canino and Laput, on the other hand, clinched their second title.
The Bacolod City native logged a triple-double effort off 11 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions, while eventual Finals MVP Laput finished with 20 points and eight digs. Shane Reterta, for her part, listed eight points, two digs, and nine receptions.
Amie Provido and Lilay Del Castillo chipped in nine and eight points, respectively, while Eshana Nunag chalked 17 excellent sets, four digs, and two points. Lyka May De Leon also put up 10 digs and seven receptions for La Salle.
Lams Lamina, who concluded her 11-year stay with NU winning three championships, posted 11 excellent sets and three digs, while Vange Alinsug finished as lone double-digit scorer with 14 points, four digs and four receptions.
Rookie of the Year Sam Cantada managed only eight points, while Chams Maaya and Arah Panique combined for just 13 points in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, sophomore Shai Nitura was officially crowned as this year’s Season MVP, becoming the first Adamson player to win the coveted plum in the distaff side.
Nitura, 21, took home the highest individual award in runaway fashion, tallying 98.511 statistical points (SP), after helping the Lady Falcons secure their first Final Four berth since Season 85.
The former juniors Season and Finals MVP also bagged Best Outside Spiker, the plum that she shared with Canino, whose teammates Laput named as Best Opposite Spiker for the second straight season while Provido pocketed the Best Middle Blocker along with University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang.
Nitura’s fellow Lady Falcon in Fhei Sagaysay took the Best Setter trophy, while NU Shaira Jardio was feted as the Best Libero. The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses were also present to take their bronze-medal award.
