LA SALLE regrouped after a third set stumble, beating fabled rival Ateneo for a 15th consecutive time, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19, last night in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament in front of 5,290 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Shevana Laput had a career-high 25 points on 19-of-41 kills, three blocks, three service aces, and collected six digs as the Lady Spikers gained a share of third place with their fourth victory in six games.

Earlier, National University moved on the cusp of sweeping the first round after a 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 romp of Adamson.

Coach Ramil de Jesus was satisfied the way La Salle responded after Ateneo, which lost Sobe Buena to a season-ending knee injury, was able to stay in the match by seizing the third by capitalizing its opponent’s errors.

“Ni-remind ko sa kanila na sa ganoong klase ng sitwasyon, nangingibabaw yung tibay ng dibdib,” said De Jesus. “Sa fourth set, ni-remind ko lang na kailangang maniwala lang kayo sa kaya ninyong gawin.

The Lady Spikers have not beaten the Blue Eagles since dropping a 25-12, 20-25, 21-25, 19-25 second round decision on April 8, 2017.

Angel Canino added 17 points, including a match-best four blocks, and eight digs while Alleiah Malaluan had three blocks for a 12-point effort for La Salle.

Lyann de Guzman led Ateneo (1-5) with 16 points, including three service aces, nine digs and five receptions while AC Miner had two blocks for a 13-point outing.

The Lady Bulldogs had to bleed the Lady Falcons’ prized rookie Shai Nitura, who was held to a season-low 13 points on 9-of-49 kills, on offense as they improved to a perfect 6-0 record.

The defending champions will face University of Santo Tomas in a rematch of last year’s Finals on Sunday. The Tigresses have won five in a row after a season-opening defeat.

“I think mag-iimprove pa naman yung performance ng NU going to the second round and sa Sunday [na last game ng first round]. Yung about sa Adamson naman siyempre masaya ako para sa kanila kasi syempre may mga talagang blue chips na dumadating na players sa Adamson kasi number one, pinaka mahirap talaga is mag-recruit talaga. Hopefully, yung mga young players nila talagang mag-improve pa lalo,” said NU coach Sherwin Meneses, after facing his alma mater for the first time.

Meneses, who took over the Lady Bulldogs program last year, handled the Lady Falcons from 2012 to 2016 as he started his coaching career.

Alyssa Solomon uncorked a match-high 22 points, including four blocks, and three service aces, Vange Alinsug hammered 12 kills, while reigning MVP Bella Belen logged nine points and 12 digs.

In the men’s division, five-peat seeking NU pulled off a 20-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12 reverse sweep of Adamson to move to solo second with a 5-1 record.

Noel Kampton fired out 27 points to propel La Salle to a 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Ateneo for its third consecutive win and a piece of third place.

Buds Buddin had 22 points, including three blocks and two service aces, nine receptions, while rookie setter Jeffe Gallego, who flipped the switch for the Bulldogs after being down by two sets, tossed in 22 excellent sets and scored three of his four points from blocks.

NU, which trails unbeaten FEU (6-0), plays UST, which has

reigning MVP Josh Ybañez back in harness, on Sunday in a rematch of last season’s Finals.

“Noong first part ng game namin, sobrang struggled kami sa pasa namin and serve namin kaya hindi namin magawa yung gusto namin gawin sa court and buti na lang pagdating nung third set onward, medyo unti-unti nakarecover kami hanggang sa dulo na nakuha namin yung game. At least sa amin, naimprove yung skills namin on time,” Bullpups coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

The Green Spikers broke free from a tie at fourth place with the Blue Eagles, now sharing the third place with the Golden Spikers at 4-2, and are seeking to end the Tamaraws’ perfect run on Saturday.

“Super motivated to win today kasi we’re fighting for our pride, school pride na ito ‘eh. Sobrang big morale boost din nito kasi we beated our rival school,” said Kampton, who tallied 23-of-44 kills and three blocks, and collected six receptions and five digs.

Ken Batas led the Blue Eagles (3-3) with 22 points on 20-of-41 attacks and two aces with 10 receptions and seven digs.

Jude Aguilar paced the Falcons (1-5) with a career-best 26-point effort on 24-of-47 kills and two aces with six digs, while Mark Paulino added 19 points, including two blocks, nine digs and eight receptions.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado