De La Salle University’s Amie Provido in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA — De La Salle University leaned on its net defense to clinch the twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4.
The Lady Spikers were headed anew by Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, putting up 24 points, 12 receptions, and 10 digs, and 22 markers with four digs, respectively in their win vs. University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday in a playoff for the second seed
However, it was how they met their opponents at the top of the net that allowed them to inch closer to a spot in the Season 87 Finals.
Despite committing 38 errors to UST’s 24, the Taft-based squad imposed their might over the Golden Tigresses with a 20-8 advantage in block points, and La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo was in awe of how they flexed their form just in time.
“Ang ganda ng blocking namin ngayon, nakaka-read na sila,” he said after the game. “Kumbaga, yung tine-train naming blocking, nag matter ngayon. Sumusunod na sila sa instructions namin sa kanila, so naging maganda yung sa blocks.”
La Salle’s net defense allowed them to claw back from a 22-17 disadvantage in the fourth set, with Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan, and Shevana Laput hitting crucial blocks to eventually seal the victory in the end game.
For Orcullo, this was a vital development especially since they are only a win away from returning to the Finals.
“Sa amin naman, yung blocking hindi sa tangkad yan,” said the veteran coach. “It’s all about timing eh, how to read the setter at kung paano papaluin ng spiker.”
“Kung ano yung iniisip ng spiker, kailangan doon ka mag basa para ma-block mo siya,” he added.
Amie Provido led La Salle’s block party vs. UST, scoring a game-high five blocks, and for the 5-foot-11 stud, she was just repaying the trust of her teammates.
“Nagtitiwala sila sa akin,” said Provido, who was the fourth-best blocker after the eliminations with 29 totals and an average of 0.53 per set. “Before talaga, hindi pa ako ganon ka-kumpyansa sa blocking, pero dahil sa kanila, pinagtsa-tiyagaan nila ako so pinanghuhugutan ko rin yun, na kaya ko.”
La Salle also ended as the second-best blocking team next to Far Eastern University with a team average of 2.33 average per set, only 0.12 less than the Lady Tamaraws.
For Orcullo, however, La Salle needs to avoid keeping their eye away from the ball as they look to take down UST in Game 2.
“‘Di pa tapos laban,” he emphasized. “Nakuha lang yung twice-to-beat. Darating din tayo sa actual na semifinals na tayo yung may advantage, so kailangan panghawakan natin ‘to. Wag na nating bitawan pa.”
The La Salle-UST Final 4 match is scheduled on Saturday, May 3, 6:00 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
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