DLSU averts 1st set scare, ousts NU in UAAP Game 1 finals

Bull’s eye locked—La Salle fired the first arrow.

As De La Salle University overcame a tense opening set over National University, the Lady Spikers found their groove to dismantle their foe, 25–23, 25–18, 25–18, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 6.

The victory extended the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten run to 15 matches and moved them one win closer to claiming their 13th championship, with a perfect championship campaign since 2004.

Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus said the two-week-long break benefited La Salle, allowing the team to recover and regroup after a physically demanding second round.

“Nung first week (of waiting) namin actually recovery at rehab kami. Then the following week medyo nag-adjust na kami, kaunting conditioning at tuneup games, ganon kahaba. At least maganda para sa amin kasi nung natapos ang second round, bugbog kami sa laro eh. Kinailangan ng team yun at naging advantage namin siguro yun,” De Jesus said.

La Salle pounced on time after NU came out blazing in the opening and carved out an early cushion, 14–9, trimming the gap before eventually pulling late at 22-all behind Angel Canino’s attacks.

The Lady Spikers then capitalized on their rival’s miscues in the closing stretch via a crucial offensive sequence, allowing DLSU to escape the first frame, 25–23.

Riding the momentum, La Salle imposed its rhythm in the second as the Lady Bulldogs struggled to recover offensively, allowing the Lady Spikers to cruise to a 25–18 two-set advantage.

The Lady Spikers unleashed a decisive 8-0 run midway in the third set, sparked by an NU net touch violation and capped by consecutive conversions from Shane Reterta, to turn into a commanding 23-15 edge.

Although the Lady Bulldogs managed to save a couple of match points late, an attack error followed by an unsuccessful challenge ultimately handed La Salle the straight-set victory, 25–18.

Angel Canino powered the Lady Spikers with 17 points built on 15 attacks, one block, and one ace to keep the squad unscathed.

As the Lady Spikers will try to complete the sweep on May 9, the Lady Bulldogs bid to extend the series and keep their title defense alive.