Written by Akari Sports Staff | Photo from The UAAP
LA SALLE regained the UAAP women’s volleyball championship with an emphatic two-game Finals sweep of National University, capped by a workmanlike 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 win last night before 22,509 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Spikers completed a 16-0 campaign for their 13th title, and the program’s first perfect season since winning all 14 matches in 2004 to become the outright champions.
It also ended La Salle’s heartbreaking 2014 campaign, completing a 14-0 sweep, but fabled rival Ateneo made a Cinderella run for a breakthrough crown.
“Sobrang happy ako dito sa championship na ito. Ito talaga ‘yung target namin after nung Season 87, talagang makabalik dito sa Finals. Hindi ko rin ini-expect na masisweep namin 16-0. Proud ako sa mga players ko and sa coaching staff,” said a jubilant Coach Ramil de Jesus.
Captain Shevana Laput was named the Finals MVP after producing 14 points, including a match-best six blocks and eight digs in the clincher. She rebounded from early game struggles in the Finals opener to help the Lady Spikers also win in straight sets with 11 points.
“Based on the last game, we knew NU was gonna come in more motivated to take this win. Because of that, we also had to come in more motivated to win the championship. I believe that’s what we did, we defeated them in three sets, it shows that we really, really wanted this championship,” said Laput.
Angel Canino was sensational for La Salle with 11 kills, 10 digs, and 10 receptions. Amie Provido chipped in nine points, while Shane Reterta contributed eight points,
Playmaker Shan Nunag lobbed 17 excellent sets, while Lyka De Leon anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
