Lady Spikers deny Tigresses repeat of closing season, take playoff bonus

The Lady Spikers rejoice after taking the twice-to-beat bonus in opposition to the Tigresses. —UAAP MEDIA

The group at the reverse finish of the court docket took convenience in figuring out La Salle within out, however the Lady Spikers emphatically tore that belief to shreds anyway on Wednesday.

After shedding the hole set, La Salle smoothened the gaps in its play after which became on its vaunted blockading to pummel University of Santo Tomas, 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27, and take the No. 2 seed within the UAAP Season 87 ladies’s volleyball event.

“We rewrote the story,” Shevana Laput stated in a while after the triumph at Mall of Asia Arena, which denied its outdated tormentor of once more grabbing the coveted playoff bonus.

“I mean, this playoff was such a big opportunity for us. Despite everything that has happened in the elimination round, we were given this playoff chance,” the other hitter went on.

La Salle seemed adore it was once going to relive being at the nasty finish of a Final Four drawback after a surprise loss by the hands of surging Far Eastern and a well-known opponent at the different facet of the online on Wednesday.

But a transformation in outlook, in line with assistant trainer Noel Orcullo, proved to be the important thing in turning an outdated narrative on its head.

“The difference this time out is, these girls wanted it. Last year, towards the end of the second round, their demeanor and eagerness to win dipped,” he stated.

Amie’s blocks

“This time, [the players]seem to have a push,” he added.

Captain and cornerstone Angel Canino, to no person’s wonder, confirmed the way in which for the Lady Spikers, striking up 24 issues to move with 12 receptions and 10 digs.

Laput was once simply as key, filing 22 issues as Amie Provido starred at the defensive finish, accounting for 1 / 4 of La Salle’s 20 blocks within the win.

“I’m glad with what the team showed,” Provido stated. “It really showed that everyone wanted it (the win). We had heart. And for me, I just gave my best for everyone, who have been my motivation along with my coaches.”

A couple of days earlier than their you-or-me for playoff coverage, UST trainer KungFu Reyes stated the 2 colleges know every different rather well, and underscored that the fit can be a combat of wills and smarts.

Angge Poyos had 24 issues to move with 13 digs and 12 receptions, as Reg Juardo attempted her darndest to ship the Golden Tigresses to drive a deciding 5th set along with her 12 issues.

But their numbers simply didn’t reduce it—no longer in opposition to a Lady Spikers facet raring to make issues proper, and their prolific protection staring the Golden Tigresses down.

“We were not going to throw away this shot,” stated Laput, who could have yet one more probability to in the end exorcise the demons of the previous when La Salle, an outdated energy, performs UST this Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum—this time with a championship berth at the line.

“This is just a confidence-booster. This shows we are capable,” she stated. INQ