Written by Akari Sports Staff | Photo from The UAAP
SHEVANA Laput and Angel Canino took over in the extended third set as La Salle turned back Far Eastern University, 25-19, 25-14, 27-25, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.
The Lady Tamaraws threatened to extend the match by reaching set point at 24-22 when Canino and Laput put the Lady Spikers back on track as they drilled back-to-back hits to level the count at 24.
FEU kept in the thick of things until Laput, La Salle’s new captain, hammered two straight kills to secure the win in one hour and 33 minutes.
La Salle joined University of the Philippines, which survived a late resurgence by University of the East to secure a 25-12, 25-9, 21-25, 25-19 victory, for the early lead.
Deputy coach Noel Orcullo, Ramil de Jesus’ trusted lieutenant, was satisfied the way the Lady Spikers’ grit despite the Lady Tamaraws’ charge to turn the match around.
“Ayun nga nauna ang FEU sa set point, sinabihan lang ni Coach Ramil ang mga bata na kapitan lang. Ibigay lang ‘yung magagawa nila, ayun kahit papaano kumapit talaga,” said Orcullo.
Laput came through with 23 points on 20-of-41 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Canino had 15 points including nine in the third set.
Rookie playmaker Eshana Nunag also impressed under bright lights with 12 excellent sets to go with three points while Amie
Provido led La Salle’s wall with six blocks along with four attacks and one ace for 11 points.
“Siyempre po, parang nakakakaba kasi freshman po ako, tapos first six na kaagad, pero with the coaches and ates po, tiwalang-tiwala po ako na hindi po nila ako ipapahamak and gagawin po nila ang lahat for me and for the team, kaya naa-assure po ako palagi sa loob kahit na nagkakamali,” said Nunag.
La Salle, backed by Nxled, Cleverlight, F2 Logistics, and ICTSI will face another contender in its next game on February 22 against a now full-strength University of Santo Tomas at the bayside Pasay arena.
