Romwel Anzures

Shevana Laput of De La Salle University in action against University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774349162708IMG_0486.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Shevana Laput of De La Salle University in action against University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Rivals De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas face off in a high-stakes early afternoon showdown in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.</div>The Lady Spikers aim to extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches against a Tigresses team looking to force a three-way tie for second place. The match starts at 1 p.m.Later, at 3 p.m., Adamson University, hoping to stay within the top four, clashes with Ateneo de Manila University to cap another women&#x27;s doubleheader.La Salle is slowly pulling away from its closest pursuers with a perfect 8-0 record. The Lady Spikers came from behind to overcome Adamson last Saturday, rallying from two five-point deficits late in the fourth set to win, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23.Assistant coach Noel Orcullo noted that, as in past encounters, La Salle will have to grind it out against UST, which at 5-3 holds a one-game lead over Adamson (4-4) in the race for the final Final Four berth.The Lady Spikers previously overcame a tough Tigresses stand in the third set to win their first-round meeting last Feb. 22, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24. Orcullo acknowledged that the straight-sets victory was not easy.&quot;Yung first round talagang pinagaaralan talaga nila kami. Ito na yung totoong laban. Second round, naka-adjust na lahat ng team; nakita na lahat kung ano yung mga weaknesses, ano yung strengths ng bawat team. So kung ano man yung adjustment na gagawin namin, adjustments na gagawin ng UST, i-wo-work na lang namin yun,&quot; said Orcullo.With the Tigresses expected to play with urgency, Angel Canino, the league&#x27;s second-best spiker and No. 6 scorer, emphasized the need to strengthen La Salle’s net defense.&quot;Kami siguro will focus na lang dun sa kung anong mga nakita namin &#x27;yung mali sa game na ito. And kung anong kailangang gawin na in-game adjustment against UST. And siyempre siguro, of course, yung blocking namin. Kailangan talaga kaming mag-focus dun sa blocking, sa depensa, and of course, sa service. And ayan lang naman, yung mga in-game adjustments lang namin against UST, yun yung kailangan namin gawin. And of course, mag-focus kasi another game na naman,&quot; Canino said.Amie Provido, the league&#x27;s No. 2 blocker, is a force in the middle alongside Lilay del Castillo, while Shevana Laput is a major contributor in defending the net.UST comes into the match riding a three-game winning streak, despite a challenging week that includes preparing for this second-round stretch and a clash with traditional rival Far Eastern University at QPav on Sunday.&quot;Of course, yung scouting report din ng coaches para ma-feed din sa mga players. And then, yung connection na sinasabi kasi yun talaga yung magma-matter dyan. Medyo challenging lang, siyempre, for us, these coming weeks, kasi start din ng prelims ng mga bata. But again, hindi naman siya reason. Kaya talagang mag-prepare talaga kami para sa Wednesday game. Hopefully, makuha namin yung panalo,&quot; Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.Poyos, the tournament&#x27;s No. 1 spiker and third-best scorer, said UST is finally getting on the same page after opening the season at 2-3.&quot;Siguro isa rin pong factor na umaangat din po yung laro namin kasi nagpe-perform hindi lang po ako kundi yung team, so talagang collective effort ito, lalo na sa second round na need talaga naming mag-step up, hindi lang yung mga wing, yung mga middle or setter, so need talagang collective effort,&quot; Poyos said.A UST win would force a three-way tie with FEU and defending champion National University at 6-3, boosting their Final Four bid and contention for the coveted No. 2 spot.Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons aim to repeat their season-opening 25-19, 25-18, 25-10 victory over the Blue Eagles, led by the 1-2 scoring punch of Shai Nitura and Nigeria&#x27;s Frances Mordi.Ateneo, with a 1-7 record, focuses on improving after giving UST fits in the first set before falling 25-21, 11-25, 22-25, 12-25 last Saturday.In the men’s division, UST tries to solidify its hold on third place against La Salle, which has won four straight, at 9 a.m. Ateneo seeks to remain in the top-four race when it faces Adamson at 11 a.m.The Golden Spikers have a 5-3 record, while the Green Spikers and the Blue Eagles are locked in a tight battle for fourth at 4-4.

Rivals De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas face off in a high-stakes early afternoon showdown, Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum

Rivals De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas face off in a high-stakes early afternoon showdown, Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum

UAAP: La Salle eyes ninth straight win as UST fights for final four spot

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UAAP: La Salle eyes ninth straight win as UST fights for final four spot

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Published March 24, 2026 10:30 PM PHT

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