The De La Salle University Lady Spikers battled through a grueling five-set contest against the Adamson University Lady Falcons, securing a hard-fought victory to maintain their pristine undefeated record in Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament. The dramatic encounter stretched for over two hours, culminating in a decisive 8-0 scoring run by La Salle in the final frame, converting a precarious 7-5 lead into an unassailable advantage and sealing the victory.
This pivotal win, though a testament to La Salle’s resilience, offers a crucial early-season test of character for a team widely expected to contend for the championship. It underscores the intense competition within collegiate volleyball in the Philippines, demonstrating that no victory is assured, even for a top-ranked squad. For Adamson, the heartbreaking loss, despite pushing the league leaders to their absolute limits, highlights their potential to disrupt the established hierarchy and signals their intent to be a formidable contender as the season progresses. The match served as a significant barometer for both teams, revealing strengths under duress and areas for tactical refinement in their respective quests.
La Salle's path to victory was far from straightforward. After dropping the opening set and being thoroughly outplayed in the fourth, the Lady Spikers found themselves in unfamiliar territory, facing a determined Adamson squad eager to hand them their first defeat. The pivotal shift occurred in the decisive fifth set, where La Salle, trailing momentarily, rallied to unleash its devastating scoring surge. This late burst was a powerful demonstration of their collective ability to perform under immense pressure, transforming a tense situation into a triumphant finish.
Shevana Laput, La Salle's potent opposite hitter, emerged as the undisputed offensive linchpin, delivering a career-best performance with an astonishing 26 points. Her output was a masterclass in attacking, comprising 19 kills, six crucial blocks that stifled Adamson's offense, and a well-placed ace. Beyond her scoring, Laput contributed four vital digs, showcasing her growing all-around game. She was a constant threat, consistently finding ways to penetrate Adamson’s defense even in the most critical moments of the match.
Season 85 Most Valuable Player Angel Canino also delivered a stellar all-around effort, recording a rare triple-double. Her stat line of 19 points, complemented by 12 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, demonstrated her critical role in both offense and defense, anchoring the team’s serve-receive and contributing significant firepower. Canino's veteran presence and ability to perform across multiple facets of the game proved invaluable as La Salle navigated Adamson's aggressive play.
Emerging talent, rookie Shane Reterta, proved instrumental in the final frame. Four of her 10 points in the match came in the fifth set, a period where her clutch plays ignited the pivotal 8-0 closing run. Reterta’s crucial kill at a critical juncture sparked the late surge, showcasing her composure beyond her years. She further amassed 11 digs and 12 excellent receptions, highlighting her growing importance to the team’s defensive stability and transition plays. Veterans Amie Provido and Lilay Del Castillo also made significant contributions; Provido teamed up with Laput and Reterta in the decisive closing run, while Del Castillo secured eight markers, half of which were vital kill blocks that disrupted Adamson's rhythm. Setter Eshana Nunag masterfully orchestrated La Salle's offense, delivering 23 excellent sets that enabled her hitters to convert crucial points, while libero Lyka De Leon anchored the defense with 18 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions, keeping countless rallies alive.
Adamson, despite the heartbreaking loss, exhibited a remarkable fighting spirit that pushed the undefeated champions to their absolute limits. The Lady Falcons were spearheaded by the formidable duo of Frances Mordi and Shaina Nitura. Mordi led her team with an impressive 22 points, built on 19 attacks and three blocks, alongside nine receptions and three digs, showcasing her offensive versatility. Nitura was equally exceptional, tallying 21 points from 17 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, coupled with 17 excellent receptions and 10 digs, providing a consistent offensive and defensive threat. Lhouiz Tuddao also added 11 markers for the Lady Falcons, contributing to their sustained pressure throughout the marathon match. The performance underlined Adamson's potential to be a formidable contender, despite now holding a 3-3 win-loss record, proving they can stand toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo emphasized the character-building aspect of the challenging match. "When we lost in the fourth set, we told them that this is a character game. This is the chance for them to show what they've been training and working hard for. This will test what kind of character they have," Orcullo stated after the match. "They showed their character. They really want to fight. They want to win. They want this win and they got it." He further elaborated on the necessity of such encounters, noting, "It's necessary to go through these trials and tribulations. This is a lesson. This is not seen as a disadvantage because the girls were able to witness and feel how a fifth set goes, and what to do in those situations."
This sentiment was echoed by Laput, who admitted the team's initial mental struggle. "We came to the game, our bodies were there, but our minds weren't present. It took us until the fifth set to really wake up and realize that we came here for a purpose. We didn't win two sets just to lose the fifth set. We didn't come all the way to lose," she said. Laput stressed the importance of earning every victory and avoiding complacency, even while leading the league. Canino also highlighted the value of the experience for the younger players, stating, "At least our young players have experienced how it was to play in the fifth set. We don't see this as a disadvantage for us but a good lesson for our rookies and us veterans. At least the kids got to experience the ups and downs of emotions and skills as well as the chance to show our character inside the court."
Despite committing more errors than Adamson, with 27 compared to the Lady Falcons’ 24, La Salle's ability to recover and dominate the crucial moments underscores their mental fortitude and superior execution when it mattered most. The victory serves as a crucial confidence booster and a valuable learning experience as they prepare for their final first-round game.
The UAAP collegiate volleyball season is known for its intense rivalries and passionate fan base, with matches often drawing thousands to arenas like the Mall of Asia. Maintaining an undefeated record through the first round positions a team favorably for the playoffs, often providing a psychological edge and better seeding. However, the path to a championship in the UAAP is long and arduous, demanding consistent performance and the ability to overcome formidable opponents who are constantly strategizing to dismantle a perfect record. The Lady Spikers' current run places them at the pinnacle of this highly competitive league, but the real test lies in sustaining this level of play against increasingly aggressive and tactically sound adversaries. The character forged in matches like the one against Adamson will be essential as the competition intensifies.
That highly anticipated final first-round match will pit the Lady Spikers against their Season 87 Finals tormentor and two-time defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs, scheduled for Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Adamson Lady Falcons will look to bounce back against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, seeking to translate their fighting performance into a much-needed win. The rigorous five-set battle against Adamson has undoubtedly prepared the Lady Spikers for the formidable challenges that lie ahead in their quest for a championship, reinforcing Laput's reflection: "The road to the championship is never easy. If it were, every team would win one." Their collective resilience and individual brilliance, honed under pressure, will be essential as they navigate the remainder of the UAAP Season 88 in pursuit of collegiate glory.