Hawk-eyed Canino tames UST, maintains La Salle’s clean record
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers (2–0) triumphantly tamed the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses (1–1) in four grueling sets, 22–25, 27–25, 25–16, 25–21, to commence their Shakey’s Super League second round, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Super Rookie Angel Canino was named the MVP of the match for the second time, with a jaw-dropping 25 points, consisting of nineteen attacks, two blocks, and four service aces.
Despite Regina Jurado securing the Tigresses’ first point with an early kill, Lady Spiker Jolina Dela Cruz made her presence known with an attack early on. The Lady Spikers were then able to secure a three-point cushion, 8–5. After tying at 8-all, the Tigresses managed to escape and outrun the Lady Spikers for the rest of the set despite the Lady Spikers’ excellent floor defense and attacks from Dela Cruz. UST further made back-to-back pounces on the Spikers, building a four-point lead, 10–14, which the latter was unable to overturn. The Green & White were able minimize the lead, but an attack error and an outruled call finished Set 1 in favor of UST, 22–25.
Julia Coronel served an ace to start things off for La Salle. The two teams then engaged in a lengthy rally, only for the Tigresses to emerge on top. A few cracks in the Lady Spikers’ net defense further catapulted UST within striking distance, 7–8. From then, the Tigresses held tightly on to the lead. Back-to-back attacks from Canino and Baby Jyne Soreño kept the Taft-based squad alive with the former taking the team to set point, 24–23. Everyone was at the edge of their seats, as the two teams battled to keep the ball afloat. Following a crucial save by Justine Jazareno, a Canino kill brought La Salle to set point, 25–24. UST fought back to equalize the game, but a Tigress service error paired with a Canino airstrike ended the long rally and handed the Lady Spikers the second set, 27–25.
With a confidence boost they received from their set two victory, Thea Gagate established authority to start the third. To keep the momentum going, Canino took the lead and pulled consecutive bullseyes to bring the Lady Spikers ahead. Amie Provido and Soreño secured and denied access to La Salle’s court, garnering a 10-point lead, 15–5 for the Lady Spikers. Canino found another undefended area to give the Green & White a 19–10 lead, which the Tigresses contested and lost. A UST attack error gave DLSU an easy set point until Provido grabbed the third set with an incredible block, 25–16.
All-around team captain, Marionne Alba, set the pace of the fourth set early on with an ace for the Lady Spikers. However, the opponent quickly took advantage of a weak spot in the Lady Spikers’ defense, to bring the set to three-all. An exchange of leads was witnessed once again as the Golden Tigresses continued chewing on La Salle’s heels, 14–13, diminishing the lead that La Salle was building up. Both teams’ service and attack errors contributed to the lead exchange until Canino drove the Lady Spikers to set point, 24–21. Alba then attacked to stun the Lady Tigresses, taking the fourth for the Lady Spikers, 25–21.
When asked where the Lady Spikers’ energy came from, Canino responded, “Syempre nagsimula yun sa sarili namin, kasi di naman namin magagawa yun kung di namin niremind yung sarili namin kung sino kami, at kung paano kami lumaban sa court”. She added that, of course, everything that happened wouldn’t be possible without the help of their coaches.
The Lady Spikers’ next match has yet to be confirmed after their supposedly game against the AdU Lady Falcons yesterday, October 29 was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Paeng.
Box scores:
DLSU 99 — Canino 25, Dela Cruz 11, Gagate 9, Provido 6, Alba 5, Coronel 2, Sharma 1, Fuentes 1, Jazareno (L) 0
UST 87 — Jurado 12, Gula 11, Perdido 9, Abellana 9, Abbu 6, Abueg 5, Hernandez 3, Caasi 1, Pepito (L) 0, Plaza 0
