DEFENDING champion La Salle struggled in its first game without reigning MVP Angel Canino before pulling off a 26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 27-25 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Canino, who was with the team but wearing an arm sling, suffered a cut on her right arm in an “accident not related to volleyball” and the reigning MVP’s status is “day to day.”

Using next woman up mentality, it was the Lady Spikers’ collective effort to secure their eighth win in nine matches in their first match without Canino.

“We are winning for her. We are playing for her,” said Shevana Laput, who led La Salle with 21 points, including two blocks.

“Definitely there’s the need to step up so I guess there’s that pressure but I’m glad that my team and the coaches have that trust in me,” she added.

The Lady Spikers were poised for a straight-set romp after a service ace by Alleiah Malaluan gave La Salle a commanding 17-7 lead.

A service error by Heart Magsambol pushed the Lady Spikers at match point, 24-20, but the Fighting Maroons were able to gain a lifeline after securing the third set’s last six points and the Lady Spikers committing 11 errors.

Getting its second wind, UP had a hot start in the fourth and reached set point first at 24-22 but Malaluan powered La Salle to 25-25 stalemate.

Maicah Larroza’s go-ahead kill attack and Julia Coronel’s block on Joan Monares sealed the Lady Spikers’ hard-earned victory in two hours and 26 minutes.

“Siguro nabigla yung mga bata, hindi inaasahan kasi nga wala si Angel pero sinabihan naman namin sila na maging ready lang. Kung sino yung papalit sa pwesto ni Angel maging ready lang,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

Malaluan added 17 points while Larroza had a solid all-around game of 12 points, 14 digs and 10 receptions for the Lady Spikers.

Irah Jaboneta had 17 points and 11 digs for the Fighting Maroons, who dropped further at the bottom of the standings at 1-9.

In the men’s division, Andrei Delicana had 19 points, including five blocks, while JJ Javelona and Dryx Saavedra had 16 points apiece as Far Eastern University outlasted Ateneo, 25-20, 20-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-12, to move closer in advancing to the Final Four with a league-best 8-1 card.

“Yung game kanina too much errors kami. Ang daming kailangang repasuhin. Kung nagtitriple na kaming focus sa ensayo, baka dapat mas lalo pang doblehin,” said coach Eddieson Orcullo as the Tamaraws overcame 24 errors.

JM Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao each scored 12 points while Eco Adajar tossed in 20 excellent sets as La Salle solidified its hold of third spot with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-14 romp of UP.

The Green Spikers now have a 6-3 card, one-and-a-half game ahead of the fifth-running Blue Eagles (5-5).

“Hindi naman nawawala every training I keep on reminding them na towards the end of second round na tayo, kailangan nakatuon na talaga tayo. Kung 100 percent nakatutok kami nung first round, ngayon dodoblehin pa talaga namin,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque.