La Salle recovers, dominates Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle wasted no chance barging back into the winner’s circle with a 25-12, 25-19, 25-22 mastery of fierce rival Ateneo in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Still reeling on a stinging five-setter defeat to undefeated leader Santo Tomas last week, the vengeful Lady Spikers needed only 78 minutes of play to score their 13th straight win over the Blue Eagles since 2017. 

Thea Gagate towered over the Blue Eagles with 15 points on five blocks, nine attacks and an ace as La Salle in the process forged a tie with National U at No. 2 with 3-1 slates halfway through the first round. Santo Tomas paces the race with a 3-0 record after owning top contenders La Salle and NU.

Shevana Laput had two aces for 13 points as reigning MVP Angel Canino added 10 on nine hits.

“Hindi ko naman tinitingnan ‘yung (streak). Kung sino man dumating sa amin, pinaghahandaan namin. Lahat big games sa amin. Nataon lang ‘yung winning tradition namin sa Ateneo,” said mentor Ramil de Jesus.

Save for a closer second-set duel, La Salle had no problem stamping its class over Ateneo in a one-sided affair with only Lyann de Guzman (15) tallying double digits for the Blue Eagles, who slid to 1-3.

Earlier, rampaging National U made short work of the University of the Philippines, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, to tie second-game winner La Salle. 

Vange Alinsug fired 15 points, including 10 in the third set as the Lady Bulldogs cruised to their third straight win after absorbing a shocking opener defeat against the Golden Tigresses.