La Salle tries to keep momentum going, eyes twice-to-beat advantage

Sporting a 7-3 card and just behind league-leading and reigning champion National University, De La Salle is giving its best effortto keep its momentum and clinch one of the two bonuses. With four remaining games left in the elimination round, the race for the precious Final Four spots gets tighter in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. And it could only become a mad dash to the playoffs for those who are seeking a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

Sporting a 7-3 card and just behind league-leading and reigning champion National University, De La Salle is giving its best effort to keep its momentum and clinch one of the two bonuses. “Actually ito talaga ‘yong goal namin na hawakan ‘yong second hanggang sa dulo para at least makuha namin ‘yong twice-to-beat advantage,” said La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus after the Taft-based squad’s 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win over arch-rival Ateneo at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, April 2. “Sana magtuloy-tuloy na, and ‘yon din talaga ‘yong isa mga goal namin,” he added.



La Salle, however, must overcome its next foes as it tries to build a cushion in the standings with Far East University and University of Santo Tomas inching closer with similar 6-4 records. DLSU’s remaining games, however, are expected to be the challenging ones as it battles University of the East, University of the Philippines, Adamson and FEU. Last season, La Salle finished third to come up short for the semis bonus after yielding to UST, which was its final elimination opponent and eventually took the Final Four incentive.

Angel Canino, who quickly recovered from a neck injury scare in their previous contest against UST, anchored the Lady Spikers with her 16-point performance. The Season 85 Rookie of the Year-MVP was just glad to see the improvement offensively. “Actually matagal na rin naming inaantay na lumabas ‘yong mga atake, kasi, lahat kami, alam naman namin na lahat kaming kayang umatake,” said Canino.

“So, on that part, masaya kami na lumalabas na, but at the same time, marami pang kailangang i-improve,” she added. “But thinking about the positive side na naka-three set lang kami.” Aside from offensive support from Shevana Laput, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido, and Lilay Del Castillo, La Salle’s rookie setter Mikole Reyes has been a key piece in de Jesus' rotation.

The freshman, who replaced Mars Alba, is one of the best setters so far in the tournament. “Siyempre ‘di pa po nagtatapos do’n, and hangga’t may mga games parin po, at patuloy ‘yong mga training namin, alam ko pong may ilalabas pa ['yong laro ko],” said Reyes. “Binibigyan talaga namin ng oras ‘yong mga setters namin sa training, and gusto naming magkaroon sila ng kumpiyansa, ‘di kasi nakukuha ng isang game ‘yon,” De Jesus.

“Unti-unti nagiging maganda ‘yong result.”.