LA SALLE extended its winning streak against fabled rival Ateneo to 11 following a 25-16, 25-20, 25-13 win the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

The Lady Spikers seized the solo lead at 3-0 and have yet to lose to the Blue Eagles since dropping a 25-12, 20-25, 21-25, 19-25 decision at the end of second round eliminations on April 8, 2017.

Savoring every moment of her first rivalry game, super rookie Angel Canino was on the attack mode, nearly matching Ateneo’s first set total of nine kills by producing eight spikes.

Canino eventually finished with a career-high 23 points on 21-of-45 attacks, nine digs and five receptions to earn her third consecutive player of the game honors from the television panel.

The Bacolod City native, however, deflected the credit.

“I think we all deserve the POG. Kasi lahat po kami nag-contribute inside the court. Wala po akong masabi sa team, basta proud po ako sa team kasi ginawa namin ang best namin,” said Canino.

“Nag-push talaga kami hanggang dulo and na-prove po namin na kaya namin,” she added.

Jolina dela Cruz had 13 points, including three blocks, and 11 receptions, Thea Gagate chipped in 10 points, while Fifi Sharma scored half of her six points from blocks for the Lady Spikers.

Earlier, Shaq delos Santos earned his first win as University of the Philippines coach, as the Fighting Maroons subdued University of the East, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-20.

With titleholder National University’s five-set loss to University of Santo Tomas Saturday, La Salle took the opportunity to gain the top spot.

For interim coach Noel Orcullo, he simply wanted the Lady Spikers to focus at the task at hand.

“Hindi naman namin ina-ano kung nasa taas kami or what. Basta kami tuloy tuloy lang, one game at a time. Basta ang nire-remind lang namin sa mga bata huwag ma-kumpiyansa,” said Orcullo.

“Basta kung ano yung sistemang ginagawa namin, apply lang nang apply sa game so yung record sa taas di namin ina-ano yun basta kami continuous lang yung gagawin namin,” he added.

Faith Nisperos left everything on the floor with 11 points and 11 digs while Yvana Sulit and Vanie Gandler each had six points for the Blue Eagles.

Niña Ytang logged a career-high 20 points, including a season-best seven blocks, and went 12-of-19 spikes to lead the way for UP, which tied Ateneo and Far Eastern University at 1-2.

Steph Bustrillo had three blocks and three service aces to finish with 16 points, Alyssa Bertolano chipped in 10 points, 11 receptions and six digs while Abi Goc provided the spark for the Fighting Maroons off the bench with nine points.

“Siyempre very thankful kasi unang panalo ng team and siguro ang dami pa ring naming mga kulang kanina pero kailangan naming ma-appreciate kung gaano ka-okay yung ginalaw namin kanina,” said delos Santos.

“Ayun nga, 16 errors so trabaho pa kami hanggang sa maibaba namin siya nang maibaba. Part naman yun ng process namin sa pagbuo ng team na ‘to so accept lang kami and then trabaho lang.”

Ja Lana had 14 kills and 10 digs while Van Bangayan contributed 13 points for the Lady Warriors, who fell to their third successive defeat.

In men’s play, Kenneth Culabat had 19 kills and 19 digs UE bucked a slow first set to beat University of the Philippines, 19-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22, and improved to 2-1.

“Nung una kasi first set medyo mabigat yung feeling. Hindi sila nag-e-enjoy saka basa yung middle namin kanina nung first set,” said coach Jerome Guhit after the Red Warriors rebounded from last Wednesday’s five-set loss to the Blue Eagles.

The Fighting Maroons, who got 21 points from Gelo Lagando, dropped to 0-3.

Games Wednesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10 a.m. – DLSU vs UE
12 noon – Ateneo vs FEU
2 p.m. – UST vs AdU
4 p.m. – NU vs UP