SHEVANA Laput and Angel Canino took over in the extended third set as La Salle turned back Far Eastern University, 25-19, 25-14, 27-25, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.
The Lady Tamaraws threatened to extend the match by reaching set point at 24-22 when Canino and Laput put the Lady Spikers back track as they drilled back-to-back hits to level the count at 24.
FEU kept in the thick on things until Laput, La Salle’s new captain, hammered two straight kills to secure the win in one hour and 33 minutes.
Earlier, University of the Philippines survived a late resurgence by University of the East to secure a 25-12, 25-9, 21-25, 25-19 season-opening victory.
Deputy coach Noel Orcullo, Ramil de Jesus’ trusted lieutenant, was satisfied the way the Lady Spikers’ grit despite the Lady Tamaraws’ charge to turn the match around.
“Ayun nga nauna ang FEU sa set point, sinabihan lang ni Coach Ramil ang mga bata na kapitan lang. Ibigay lang ‘yung magagawa nila, ayun kahit papaano kumapit talaga,” said Orcullo.
Laput came through with 23 points on 20-of-41 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Canino had 15 points including nine in the third set.
Rookie playmaker Eshana Nunag also impressed under bright lights with 12 excellent sets to go with three points while Amie Provido led La Salle’s wall with six blocks along with four attacks and one ace for 11 points.
Gerz Petallo was the lone Lady Tamaraw in double figures with 11 points. Clar Loresco and Jaz Ellarina added eight and six points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons dominated the first two sets in convincing fashion, but Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, and Bea Zamudio found their rhythm in the third frame, powering the Red Warriors to extend the match.
UE was ahead at 7-4 in the fourth, but UP quickly regrouped to deny the Recto-based side’s bid for a reverse sweep.
“It’s more on mental. We were playing very well in the beginning, second set was very smooth… We need to grow up. We allowed the girls to be distracted in one moment but it won’t happen again trust me because they’re gonna hear me later,” said debuting Fighting Maroons coach Fabio Menta, reflecting on the lapse in the third set.
Niña Ytang and Irah Jaboneta had 14 points apiece, while Casiey Dongallo and Kianne Olango each had 13 points for UP.
Setter Julia de Leon fired three of the Fighting Maroons’ 10 service aces and had seven excellent sets.
Bangayan paced UE with 19 points, Zamudio chipped in 14 points while Cepada added 10 points and 10 digs. Lady Warriors libero Angge Reyes recorded eight receptions and seven digs.
FEU, on a mission after last year’s heartbreaking men’s Finals defeat to NU, swept La Salle, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19, to make an early statement.
Dryx Saavedra finished with 16 points, while Mikko Espartero added 14 points and seven receptions, while new Tamaraws captain Ariel Cacao tossed in 17 excellent sets and scored seven points.
“Yung communication lang talaga, medyo doon lang kami nagkakaunawaan kasi walang hindi malinaw sa ginagawa namin — lahat kami naka-all in sa communication na ginagawa namin. Plus yung factor na brotherhood, ‘yon siguro talaga na buong-buo sa amin ‘yon,” FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem fired 30 points, while fellow second-year Tommy Castrodes nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, nine digs and nine receptions, as UP overcame UE, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11 to kick off its campaign on a high note.
“In terms of polishing, I guess we need to work on how we keep our game consistent and how we keep ourselves composed every time, especially at how we manage our emotions every time,” said head coach Carlo Cabatingan, now in his second season with the Fighting Maroons.
“In terms of skills, this is the UAAP, so I think everyone is skillful and physically gifted, so I think the real game here is the mind,” he added.
The post Laput-led La Salle sweeps FEU to kick off Season 88 campaign appeared first on Journal News Online.
