La Salle evicts Ateneo; NOW orders Super League semi ticket
La Salle makes quick work of rival Ateneo to advance to the Final Four as reigning UAAP volleyball champion NU also cruises
MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University outlasted rival Ateneo 25-17, 25-23, 25-10 to earn a semifinal spot in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship on Sunday, November 6 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers made quick work of their opponents, completing the knockout quarterfinal match in 80 minutes.
La Salle will face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Friday the 11th. November for a place in the championship.
Angel Canino fired a whopping 19 points in her first taste of the collegiate rivalry game, including delivering the three set kills.
“It was a great experience for me individually because I was so eager to win and to score a lot since it was a rivalry game,” Canino said.
“But deep down I enjoyed it and it was a huge opportunity to experience individually and also as a team,” she added.
The Lady Spikers sniffed the life out of the Blue Eagles through their interior defense in the final frame, taking a commanding 21-9 lead.
Faith Nisperos tried to spark an Ateneo comeback bid, but Makana Kowalski was called for a foul, setting up the deciding point.
Thea Gagate chipped in 12 points for DLSU, while Leila Cruz contributed 9 more.
Nisperos and Alexis Miner put up 8 markers each for Ateneo, which was relegated to the classification stage.
On the other side of the bracket, UAAP defending champion National University dispatched Far Eastern University in today’s opener, 25-10, 25-17, 25-15, to advance to the Final Four.
NU, which was led by Erin Pangilinan and Alyssa Solomon, shared a combined 53 attack points, including 22 service aces.
Bella Belen chipped in 9 points, while Ces Robles and rookie Vangie Alinsug contributed 8 apiece for the Lady Bulldogs, who will face the winner of the UST-UP quarterfinal duel.
Three different players for FEU scored 4 each. The Lady Tamaraws, who dropped their fourth straight contest, were sent to the classification round.
– We prepared very well for this match. I think it helped us a lot in this match, said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan.
La Salle will next face an Adamson team that dumped University of Perpetual Help in straight sets, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16, in its own knockout quarterfinal duel.
The Lady Falcons won their sixth straight contest thanks to May Ann Nuique’s 11 points built on 8 attacks and two blocks.
– The team played more relaxed today compared to yesterday. My second unit also stepped up to help our starters who I think were a little tired after the game against La Salle,” explained Lady Falcons coach Jerry Yee. – Rappler.com
