La Salle completes Season 88 sweep, dominates NU to reclaim UAAP crown

MANILA, May 11 ------ De La Salle University came as close to perfection as possible, as the Lady Spikers completed a 16-game sweep of UAAP Season 88 to once again reign supreme in the women's volleyball tournament. A 13th crown is headed to Taft Avenue after La Salle defeated National University, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in front of 22,509 fans in Game 2 of the Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Leading La Salle was Finals MVP Shevana Laput, who poured in 20 points along with eight digs as the Lady Spikers completed their "Sweep 16." "There are no words to explain this moment. We really waited for this moment," said Laput, also this season's Best Opposite Hitter, after averaging 15.5 points in the series.

Also starring for La Salle were fellow fourth-year standouts Angel Canino, who delivered an all-around performance of 11 points, 10 receptions, and 10 digs, and Amie Provido, who took charge in crunch time with nine points built on five attacks, two blocks, and two aces. With the Lady Bulldogs threatening to extend the match in a tight six-point fourth set, Provido scored on a kill before Shane Reterta followed with an off-the-block hit to stretch La Salle's lead to 23-15.

Provido then delivered an ace to bring the Lady Spikers to championship point. Although her ensuing service error briefly delayed the celebration, Laput soared for a back-row attack off Eshana Nunag's set to clinch the title and complete the sweep. "Itong naitawid namin na ito, sobrang happy ako kasi kahit ganito lang yung team namin, konti lang ang pwedeng mapaikot, naitawid namin sa Finals," reflected La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, as the Lady Spikers added another milestone to their already rich history. This marked the second time La Salle swept its way to a championship since 2004, when the Lady Spikers won all 14 of their assignments and were automatically crowned champions under the league's old format.

The Lady Spikers also joined the Season 77 Ateneo de Manila University and the Season 84 NU Lady Bulldogs as teams in recent years to complete undefeated championship runs. Coincidentally, both of those title runs came at La Salle's expense. Making the triumph even sweeter for de Jesus — who has coached all of La Salle's championship teams — was how it served as redemption for the heartbreaking Season 76 campaign, when the Lady Spikers squandered a perfect elimination-round run and lost consecutive Finals games to archrival Ateneo despite holding a rare thrice-to-beat advantage. "Ayaw na nating maulit yung mga nightmare nung araw, so sabi ko sa kanila, hanggat hindi pa tapos, 'wag tayong tumigil," he said.

Meanwhile, National University's hopes of completing a three-peat came to an end, with La Salle proving to be a puzzle the Lady Bulldogs could not solve this season. Leading National U was veteran Vange Alinsug, who tallied 14 points, four digs, and four receptions, while graduating setter Camilla "Lams" Lamina finished with 11 excellent sets in what turned out to be an unceremonious end to her collegiate career. Sam Cantada, despite showing improvement from her Finals debut in Game 1, still displayed signs of struggles, as the prized rookie was limited to eight points on 38% attacking efficiency. Regine Diego's squad also committed 17 costly errors as the Lady Bulldogs concluded their rollercoaster campaign as runners-up.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com