LA SALLE clinched the remaining twice-to-beat slot in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four with a 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27 victory in a Wednesday afternoon grind-it-out contest before 6,475 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Spikers turned to their blocking, a key ingredient to coach Ramil de Jesus’ championship conquests in the past, with Em Provido, Lilay del Castillo and Angel Canino combining 11 of season-high 20 blocks.

After everything it went through, including late second round defeats to University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University, La Salle was able to finish No. 2 and move on the cusp of securing a return trip to the Finals after missing the bus last season.

The Lady Spikers hold a huge psychological advantage against the third-ranked Tigresses in the Final Four at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“This playoff was such a big opportunity for us. Despite everything that has happened in the elimination round, we were given this playoff chance. We were not gonna throw away this shot. We fought for this and we definitely put our hearts and everything out because we need this twice-to-beat (advantage),” said Shevana Laput, who finished with 22 points on 19-of-42 attacks, two blocks and a service ace and collected four digs.

The other Final Four pairing pits defending champion and top-ranked National University and No. 4 FEU at 2 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs hold twice-to-beat incentive against the Lady Tamaraws.

The win also allowed La Salle to avoid a repeat of its painful 2019 loss, when it lost to UST in a similar playoff for the No. 2 spot.

The Lady Spikers and the Tigresses are meeting in the Final Four for the fourth time in the last five seasons and the Taft-based squad is determined to make it up for its previous heartbreaks.

“Pinakita lang ng mga bata yung puso na gusto nilang manalo kaya siguro ganon yung naging resulta. Sabi nga namin sa kanila, hindi pa tapos yung laban, kaya pa natin dumikit. Bakit hindi natin tiyagain na kunin natin itong set at panalo na ito? Hanggang hindi umabot sa 25 points yung kalaban, huwag kayo bibitaw, kapitan niyo,” La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.

Canino came through with 24 points, 12 receptions and 10 digs, Alleiah Malaluan had two service aces to finish with 11 points while Provido was the other Lady Spiker in double digits with 10 points.

Angge Poyos led UST with 24 points, 13 digs, and 12 receptions, while Reg Jurado chipped in 12 points, including a match-best four blocks, and 13 digs.

The Tigresses were on the brink of forcing a decider when Malaluan, who was a substitute in the fourth set, converted a timely block on Poyos and fire an ace to force extended play.

From there, the Lady Spikers weathered through three Golden Tigresses set points before finally tying the frame again at 27-27 behind an off-the-block hit from Canino.

La Salle took the lead on a Del Castillo block and Laput closed out the thrilling two-hour and 45-minute affair with a backrow attack.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado