MANILA – De La Salle University stretched its dominance in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball, overcoming a fierce Far Eastern University comeback to preserve an unblemished 11-0 record with a 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Lady Spikers appeared in full control after taking the first two sets, but the Lady Tamaraws mounted a determined fightback to force a deciding fifth set, testing La Salle’s composure in one of its toughest matches of the season.
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput powered La Salle with 23 points each, while Amie Provido added 16 markers to anchor the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten run.
After cruising early, La Salle found itself under pressure as FEU tightened its offense and extended the match. In the fifth set, the Lady Spikers quickly regained their footing, opening a 3-1 lead before widening the gap to 8-4 at the switch.
FEU stayed within reach at 9-7, but La Salle pulled away late, sealing the win, 15-10, and keeping its perfect record intact.
Lovely Lopez led FEU with 16 points, Gerzel Petallo added 14, and Faida Bakanke contributed 10 as the Lady Tamaraws slipped to a 6-5 record.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines boosted its Final Four bid with a straight-sets win over Ateneo de Manila University, 25-20, 25-14, 25-23.
The Fighting Maroons rebounded from a previous loss to improve to 5-6, remaining in sixth place but closing to within one game of fifth-running Adamson at 6-5.
Niña Ytang led UP with 18 points on 13-of-22 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Jelai Gajero added 13 points built on six spikes and seven blocks, while Irah Jaboneta chipped in 12 points and five digs.
Negrense rookie Dona De Leon paced Ateneo with seven points as the Blue Eagles dropped to a 1-10 slate./PN
