Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University’s Mikee Santos against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772019857156UAAP 88 WVB DLSU vs. UP- Michaela Santos-3406.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle University’s Mikee Santos against University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University was without Shevana Laput, who was “under the weather” on Wednesday, but her absence hardly mattered as the rookies stepped up, helping the Lady Spikers stay unbeaten.</div>Playmaker Eshana Nunag continued her stellar start as La Salle swept University of the Philippines for their third straight win, delivering 15 excellent sets on top of four digs and one point.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/2/22/uaap-orcullo-la-salle-least-surprised-by-eshana-nunag-s-strong-start-2044">READ: La Salle least surprised by Eshana Nunag’s strong start</a></div>Another rookie, Mikee Santos, also rose to the occasion.The 6-foot opposite from Angeles, Pampanga, made the most of her first start in place of Laput, tallying 11 points, eight receptions, and six digs.For La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, the rookies’ performance was proof of them defying expectations.“Actually, hindi [ko in-expect]. Never ko silang naisali sa mga tournaments,” the veteran mentor said. “Yung sa ganitong UAAP, ‘di ako nag-expect sa pinapakita nila. Basta ako, kung ano yung nakikita ko sa training, yun lang yung pinanghahawakan ko,” he added.One thing de Jesus wasn’t surprised by, however, was how the rookies have been learning from their seniors, including their Alas Pilipinas teammates Angel Canino and Amie Provido.“Yun ang maganda, meron silang mga seniors na naabutan,” said the multi-titled coach. “Mame-meet nila, or mahahabol nila yung level [nung seniors] sa team.”Meanwhile, Santos admitted she was thrilled to immediately make her mark in her first start, but she emphasized using the opportunity as motivation to climb the team ranks.“Mas makakatulong po ito sa akin na maging confident at matatag sa court,” she said. “Yung mga experiences po ng mga ates ko, mapu-push po ako nun to do better.”

La Salle was without Shevana Laput, who was “under the weather” on Wednesday, but her absence hardly mattered as the rookies stepped up, helping the Lady Spikers stay unbeaten.

La Salle was without Shevana Laput, who was “under the weather” on Wednesday, but her absence hardly mattered as the rookies stepped up, helping the Lady Spikers stay unbeaten.

UAAP: RDJ glad to have rookies Santos, Nunag defy expectations right away

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UAAP: RDJ glad to have rookies Santos, Nunag defy expectations right away

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 25, 2026 08:05 PM PHT

Read More:

Volleyball

UAAP

ABSSports

UAAP Season 88

UAAP Volleyball

De La Salle Lady Spikers

Mikee Santos

Shevana Laput

Eshana Nunag

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