Romwel Anzures

De La Salle University against National University 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/1777969764525UAAP 88 WVB DLSU vs. NU- DLSU-8721.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle University against National University in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball. UAAP Media.MANILA — Two proud programs are set for a much-anticipated rematch as De La Salle University and National University battle for UAAP women’s volleyball supremacy for the second straight year.</div>After sweeping the Season 88 elimination round, the Lady Spikers eye redemption against the very same squad that dealt them heartbreak last year—the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/4/19/sweep-complete-la-salle-is-finals-bound-after-dramatic-win-vs-national-u-1957">READ: La Salle is Finals-bound after dramatic win vs. National U</a></div>La Salle brings a different swagger this time, with the Taft-based hitters flaunting an unbeaten record that includes a pair of victories over National U in both the first and second rounds.For Lady Spikers main gunner Angel Canino, this can be traced to their newfound confidence, one that has been further unlocked by their impressive group of young stars.“Yung kumpiyansa ng mga bata, hindi na naming kailangang hingiin pa yun sa kanila,” said Canino, as rookies Eshana Nunag, Mikee Santos, and Vida Caringal have stepped up for the Lady Spikers.“Willing na sila ibigay lahat, gusto nilang mag-contribute, so may kumpiyansa na kami na kaya naman pala,” she added. “Yung hinihingi ng coaches na puso, yung pagiging fighter, na-instill yun sa mga bata, kaya malaki yung pagbabago this season.”Nunag, in particular, has been key in La Salle’s campaign, with the rookie setter immediately making an impact on their offense—a department that head coach Ramil de Jesus and his staff put a premium on.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/3/29/uaap-la-salle-s-eshana-nunag-attributes-performance-to-coaches-teammates-1651">READ: La Salle&#x27;s Eshana Nunag attributes performance to coaches, teammates</a></div>“‘Di ko in-expect na ganito agad kaganda yung ipapakita nila,” said De Jesus, as La Salle finally found an answer to its playmaking woes. “Pero kung ano yung pinapakita nila sa training, yun ang pinanghahawakan ko.”But while this helped La Salle sweep its way into the Season 88 Finals, long-time deputy Noel Orcullo knows that much more is needed to fully redeem themselves from the ghosts of Season 76 in 2014.In that year, the Lady Spikers also dominated the elimination round to clinch an outright berth in the championship. But disaster struck in the Finals, as the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo de Manila University beat them in three out of four matches to complete a historic upset and rule the tournament.Things have since changed, with the Finals now set as a best-of-three affair, and the unbeaten team no longer owns a &quot;thrice-to-beat&quot; advantage. But Orcullo said La Salle’s hunger to bury that past remains the same.“Yung nightmare namin nung Season 76, talagang ayaw naming maulit. So itong nangyari ngayon, talagang hindi namin aalisin yung focus namin,” said Orcullo.And just like how they were beaten by the then-Lady Eagles in three matches, Orcullo said they will also triple the grit needed to get the job done.“Hindi pwedeng mag-relax at mag-easy-easy na kami. Yung effort, titriplehin pa namin,” he said. “Hindi kami bibitaw, bawat isa. Kung paano namin binuo ito, ganun rin namin tatapusin.”Game 1 of the La Salle-NU best-of-three affair is on Wednesday, May 6, 5:00 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

"Yung hinihingi ng coaches na puso, yung pagiging fighter, na-instill yun sa mga bata, kaya malaki yung pagbabago this season," said Angel Canino. #UAAPSeason88

"Yung hinihingi ng coaches na puso, yung pagiging fighter, na-instill yun sa mga bata, kaya malaki yung pagbabago this season," said Angel Canino. #UAAPSeason88

UAAP: Pride, glory at stake as La Salle out to bury ghosts of yesteryears in Finals return

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UAAP: Pride, glory at stake as La Salle out to bury ghosts of yesteryears in Finals return

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 05, 2026 09:00 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP Finals

De La Salle Lady Spikers

NU Lady Bulldogs

Angel Canino

Ramil de Jesus

Regine Diego

Lams Lamina

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