Games Saturday:
(Philsports Arena)
10 a.m. – FEU vs DLSU (Men)
12 noon – FEU vs DLSU (Women)
2 p.m. – UP vs UST (Women)
4 p.m. – UP vs UST (Women)

LA SALLE recovered just in time to outclass the University of the East in three sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, and extend its winning ways to four in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Thea Gagate spearheaded La Salle’s assault for win No. 4, claiming five of the Lady Spikers’ 15 blocks, racked up 8-of-13 from spikes to finish with 13 points even as rookie Angel Canino also had a solid all-around game.

Canino contributed 10 points, eight receptions, and seven digs, while Jolina dela Cruz also rose to the occasion with two service aces for a nine-point performance.

So far, La Salle is the only undefeated team in the season and its 4-0 start is considered by many as its finest since it opened the 2014-15 campaign with six consecutive victories.

Meanwhile, Adamson repulsed the University of Santo Tomas with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-19 victory, its third in four games (3-1).

Far Eastern University relied on the superb performances of its rookies to upend Ateneo, 25-12, 15-25, 19-25, 25-15, 18-16, and evened up its win-loss record to 2-2, a notch better than its disappointing one-win campaign last year.

A win, is a win, is a win but the Lady Spikers were reminded to take it seriously and show respect to their opponents even as interim coach Noel Orcullo also hit his wards’ slow start compared to the Lady Warriors who were very much in the game early on, especially on attacks.

“Actually, we started slow. Masyado kaming nagkampante. First two sets parang sinasabayan lang yung laro ng kalaban so hindi kami nag-stick doon sa game plan namin,” said Orcullo.

It was only in the third set that La Salle imposed its will to complete the straight-set romp.

“Actually, hindi pa rin ako satisfied eh kasi nga we can do more dahil sa height namim,” said Orcullo.

“Yung height discrepancy, kayang-kaya mong dominahin talaga sa ibabaw. Ang taas ng attack ng UE, mas mataas sila ng 10 points sa amin. Hindi ako satisfied kahit sabihin mong 15 blocks, Kasi kaya mong i-domina talaga na mas mataas pa.”

The Lady Warriors won in the spiking department, 40-30, with Van Bangayan drilling 14-of-28 attacks. Ja Lana was the other UE player in double-digits with 11 kills and collected eight digs.

Jov Fernandez had 18 points, including the go-ahead kill that shattered the match’s last deadlock at 16-16, and 13 digs, but it was rookies Alyzza Devasora, Mitzi Panangin, libero Marga Encarnacion and Gerzel Petallo who shone for the Lady Tamaraws.

Devasora had a match-best three service aces for a 13-point output, while Panangin was the other FEU player in double digits with 11 points, including three blocks. Encarnacion was all over the place with 35 digs and 13 receptions while Petallo scored nine points including the match-clinching block on AC Miner that closed out the two-hour, 28-minute contest.

“Thankful ako sa mga freshmen ko like Mitzi, Marga, Gerzel, Alyzza. Nag-step up sila para sa team. Hindi ko ine-expect pero I’m very proud kung ano yung pinakita ng mga freshmen na talagang sila yung bumuhat sa seniors,” said Lady Tamaraws coach Tina Salak.

Kate Santiago and Trisha Tubu shared the scoring mantle with 13 points each, Rizza Cruz had four blocks for a 12-point outing, while Lucille Almonte logged 10 points and eight digs for the Lady Falcons, who have won two in a row.

The Tigresses dropped in a tie with the Lady Tamaraws at 2-2.

UST was a far cry from the team that ended defending champion National University’s 20-match winning run, as no one from coach Kungfu Reyes’ side posted double figures in scoring.

The Blue Eagles and the Red Warriors fell to 1-3 and 0-4 records, respectively.

In men’s play at the Philsports Arena, Kenry Malinis tallied 24 points as titleholder NU overcame a gritty UP side, 25-16, 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, to remain perfect in four matches.

Jay Dela Noche and Josh Ybañez teamed up for 44 points as UST subdued Adamson, 25-21, 20-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-6, while Noel Kampton had 22 points, 11 receptions, and eight digs La Salle bested UE, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, 25-22, as both teams moved up to 3-1 at the upper half of the standings.