Shevana Laput delivered a 22-point performance as De La Salle University outlasted Far Eastern University in a tense 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 showdown to secure their fourth consecutive win and claim solo third place in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After starting the season at 1-2 — their worst opening since Season 68 in 2006 — the Lady Spikers have rediscovered their winning form, stringing together four straight victories to finish the first round of the preliminaries with a 5-2 record. The win also allowed La Salle to break free from a tie at third place with FEU.
De La Salle kept within reach of defending champion National University (6-0) and University of Santo Tomas (5-1). Both teams will clash in a rematch of last season’s Finals at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Big Dome.
Laput’s solid follow up from her 25-point career performance against Ateneo not only propelled De La Salle to victory but also extended their dominance over FEU, marking their seventh consecutive win against the Lady Tamaraws since Season 82. FEU’s last victory over La Salle came in the second round of Season 81 on April 28, 2019.
“Despite the short turnover, our team just really wanted to work hard and end this round on a high note, which I think we have done, so that we can continue this energy and effort going into Round 2,” the Filipino-Australian opposite hitter said.
In a tightly contested third set, La Salle found themselves trailing 17-18 before Laput took charge. The 6-foot-2 spiker delivered two down-the-line kills and a crucial block to push La Salle ahead, 22-19. Alleiah Malaluan then fired back-to-back aces, giving the Lady Spikers a comfortable cushion.
FEU managed to close the gap to 22-21, but another offspeed attack from Laput, a net touch error from Congolese spiker Faida Bakanke, and a well-timed 1-2 play from Mikole Reyes secured La Salle’s four-game winning streak.
Earlier, the Lady Tamaraws attempted a comeback in the second set, narrowing a 20-14 deficit to 21-19 behind the efforts of Jaz Ellarina, Tin Ubaldo, and Bakanke. However, La Salle countered with a 4-1 run to close out the set and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
The Lady Spikers established control early in the match, racing to a 15-8 lead in the opening set. Malaluan’s consecutive down-the-line attacks and a block from Laput kept La Salle in firm control.
“Happy ako kasi kahit hindi kami halos nakapagpahinga and then halos wala kami time para magaral para sa FEU, at least doon sa short time na ‘yon, nagawa nila yung mga pinagaralan namin at nakasunod sila doon sa game plan. Yung focus nila, nandoon pa rin hanggang sa matapos yung game,” La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus said.
Malaluan ended the day with 12 points on seven attacks, four aces, and one block with eight excellent receptions, while Angel Canino had an all-around outing with 10 points on 10-of-25 attack efficiency with eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs. Amie Provido chipped in eight points on five attacks, two blocks, and one ace.