Written by Akari Sports Staff
LA SALLE turned back University of Santo Tomas, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24, for its second straight victory before 15,222 fans in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Shevana Laput was clutch in the third set as the Lady Spikers were able to avoid yielding a set for the first time this season.
La Salle, tied with University of the Philippines in second place, is behind defending two-time champion National University, which closed out the first week of action on top with a perfect 3-0 card.
The Lady Spikers and the Fighting Maroons battle for a share of first place on Wednesday.
Laput scattered 10 of her 21 points in the third set. Two of her four blocks came late in the third as the Tigresses threatened to extend the match and delivered the smart tip to close out the one-hour, 33-minute contest.
“Napaghandaan lang namin yung UST. Kumbaga, yung game plan ni coach na sinabi sa kanila, nasunod lang. So yun, ginusto nilang manalo. Ayun, nag-extend na naman yung third set. Kaya lang talagang ginusto manalo ng mga bata. So ayun yung resulta.
Talagang kailangan nilang maghirap talaga,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
Angel Canino backed Laput up with 13 points, including three blocks, while Eshana Nunag tossed in 16 excellent sets were also a major contributor in the Lady Spikers’ wall with two blocks.
“Of course, we wanted to win all our games in three sets, and we knew that we have the capability to finish the set at 25 points, but we extended it. We just had to show the Lasallian puso. This is very much a team effort right now even though I got 21 points,” said Laput.
