Lady Spikers sweep Team Davao in Kadayawan Invitational
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers continued their successful run at the 39th Kadayawan Women’s Invitational Volleyball Tournament, with a 25–15, 25–17, 25–18 straight set victory. Their second match and win of the tournament was especially significant considering that they dominated the hometown heroes, the Team Davao Eagles, at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym earlier today.
The power of the Lady Spikers began in their starting lineup, wherein they fielded Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Shane Reterta, Juliana Tolentino, Amy Provido, and Katrina Del Castillo. The group donned in Green and White harnessed veteran power with a revitalizing spirit from the newer members of the team.
The Lady Spikers established dominance early on with a quick 10-point lead at 19–9 in the first set, primarily sealed by Canino. Moreover, Canino’s prowess continued, leading Davao to call for time at the 21–12 junction. But as the Lady Spikers reached set point, Davaoeña Irina Escandor stood tall at the service line ready to halt the Lady Spikers from snatching their first set win. Though she was unable to get her service in, it was still a significant moment for the homegrown talent until eventually, Team Davao succumbed to an identical service error that gave the first set to DLSU at 25–15.
The second set began with even more catching up for the Eagles, with the team often managing to be within two or three points behind the Lady Spikers. But for La Salle’s side, it was Mikole Reyes who took the setter position, shining brightly as she distributed the ball successfully between Canino, Laput, and Reterta. Canino even successfully brought the team to set point with a block on an attempted drop shot by Team Davao. Meanwhile, it was Laput who clinched a two-set advantage for the ladies in Green and White with a service ace for another set win, 25–17.
The Lady Spikers used the third set to showcase the depth of their bench, fielding Daphny Ascuncion as an offensive asset. She aided the rest of the first-line defense, successfully contributing to block points – much like the block that brought the lead to seven at 17–10. With six points to victory, Reyes and Escandor set foot on the court once more while Lefty Riane Cortez also joined the action at the middle after Davao successfully scavenged some points to raise the tally to 21–15. Team Davao allowed the Lady Spikers to clinch match point after a too-strong serve at 24–17. Cortez then made a similar service error, which extended the match by just one. Ultimately, Canino delivered a decisive crosscourt hammer, finally sealing the win for the Taft-based squad with a final score of 25–18.
Catch the Lady Spikers on Saturday, August 3, 6 PM, at the same venue as they face the Colegio de San Juan de Letran to defend their winning streak.
