John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

UAAP 88 WVB Finals G1 DLSU vs. NU- DLSU-3251

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778250288098UAAP 88 WVB Finals G1 DLSU vs. NU- DLSU-3251.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>De La Salle Lady Spikers. UAAP Media</div>MANILA — De La Salle University is eyeing its first perfect season in 22 years and a 13th UAAP women’s volleyball title on Saturday as it battles National University, which is seeking to force a Game 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.The last four championship series since 2022 have ended in sweeps, and the Lady Spikers hope to extend that trend while ending the Lady Bulldogs’ two-year reign at 5 p.m.After a slow start, La Salle showed the form that carried it to a 14-0 elimination sweep, posting a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 win over NU in last Wednesday’s opener. It marked the first time during the Lady Bulldogs’ dynastic run that they lost in straight sets in a Finals match.A win would also erase the lingering heartbreaks of 2014 for the Lady Spikers. La Salle also swept the eliminations that season, but Ateneo defied the odds to capture a breakthrough title in Season 76.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/5/6/uaap-no-room-for-complacency-despite-convincing-win-in-series-opener-says-rdj-2034">READ: UAAP: No room for complacency despite convincing win in series opener, says RDJ </a></div>&quot;So sabi ko ayoko nang maulit ’yon — every year naman sabi ko sa kanila kung sino yung nag-champion, ’yon yung paghahandaan namin. Ito na yung situation. Ito na yung pagkakataon na makabalik kami. Kaharap namin ang NU, so kailangan paghandaan. Hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na mag-Finals. Nauna tayo, kailangan pangatawanan natin ito,&quot; Coach Ramil de Jesus said.The architect of La Salle’s 12 titles said he is prepared for whatever adjustments former ward and first-year mentor Regine Diego may introduce, especially with the Lady Bulldogs now in desperation mode.&quot;Wala nang ibang gagawin; basta kami, kung ano yung ginawa naming preparation, tuloy lang. Alam naman namin na yung NU hindi nababago galaw nila matalo manalo iisa lang yung galaw, beterano yung setter and yung mga spikers nandoon naman hindi masasabing mahina even yung mga second stringers nila pwede mo gamitin malakas talaga e. So talagang maganda yung pinakita ng NU pero mas ginusto ng mga bata,&quot; De Jesus said.Angel Canino, who had 17 points and nine digs in Game 1, acknowledged that the Lady Bulldogs will not surrender the crown easily.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/5/7/uaap-vange-alinsug-rallying-lady-bulldogs-for-game-2-2356">READ: UAAP: Vange Alinsug rallying Lady Bulldogs for Game 2 </a></div>&quot;Talaga, yung NU lalaban talaga &#x27;yan. Alam namin na lalaban talaga sila at alam namin na pag-aaralan din nila kami. The same way na pagaaralan din naman namin sila pero at the same time talagang hindi namin kailangan maging complacent ngayon kasi Game 1 pa lang and alam namin na may puso din talaga yung NU and may drive din talaga sila, may reason sila to fight this year, to fight for this season, and tapatan lang namin yung gusto nilang fire kasi sa laban ng Game 2, talagang kung sino lang may gustong manalo sa Game 2,&quot; Canino said.Not since 2019 has the Finals gone the distance, when Ateneo rallied from a series-opening defeat to beat University of Santo Tomas in three games.With NU staring at the possibility of losing the crown, Diego emphasized the need for her team to stay mentally strong and fight to extend the series.&quot;Everything sa championship is more mental than physical na. Everything is pantay-pantay na sa skills, mental na lang. We just have to focus on that again and go back to the drawing board and do our best for the next game,&quot; Diego said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/5/6/uaap-long-layoff-works-in-la-salle-s-favor-in-finals-2259">READ: UAAP: Long layoff works in La Salle’s favor in Game 1 of Finals </a></div>&quot;I told them to hold their heads high because it’s not the end. If we get too emotional about this, it’s harder for us to move forward. Trabaho lang kami para makalaban kami hanggang sa dulo. Medyo upsetting, pero we have to focus more on preparing than i-feed yung masyadong malungkot na atmosphere. Confident pa rin kami for the next game,&quot; she added.Vange Alinsug admitted the Lady Spikers were the better team in the opener, stressing that NU’s response will determine whether the series extends.&quot;Siguro, masasabi ko lang sa game namin ngayon is kailangan talaga namin mas may ibubuga pa kami kasi lalo na ngayon na sobrang taas talaga ng composure ng La Salle and isang [panalo] na lang, makukuha na nila yung championship. Pero kami naman, meron kaming dalawang araw para panoorin kung ano ang nangyari sa game namin ngayon at babawi kung ano ang need naming i-polish, especially sa Game 2, kasi super crucial na ‘yon sa amin. Kailangan talaga namin maging consistent pa, especially pag padulo na ng laban,&quot; said Alinsug, who scored 12 points in the loss.The Lady Spikers last completed an undefeated season in 2004, when they were outright champions under the old format via a 14-0 sweep.In the men’s division, NU is also aiming for a sixth straight title as it faces a Far Eastern University side looking to regroup after a tough five-set loss in the opener at 12 noon.Dante Alinsunurin, who is chasing an eighth championship as Bulldogs coach, was pleased with how setter Greg Ancheta orchestrated the offense.&quot;Siguro, naging maganda ngayon ang tiwala nila sa bawat isa. Kasi talagang yung tiwala nila kay Ancheta talaga nandoon talaga. Kaya siguro nagbago yung sitwasyon ngayon na nakuha namin yung game kasi alam namin na alam na ng mga players ko na kailangan nila si Greg sa pagdating sa ganoong sitwasyon na hindi siya bumigay. Kaya sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance niya. Sana tuloy-tuloy lang,&quot; Alinsunurin said.It also helps that Alas standouts Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Jade Disquitado, and Peng Taguibolos are finding their rhythm at this stage of the season.

De La Salle University is eyeing its first perfect season in 22 years and a 13th UAAP women’s volleyball title on Saturday as it battles National University, which is seeking to force a Game 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

De La Salle University is eyeing its first perfect season in 22 years and a 13th UAAP women’s volleyball title on Saturday as it battles National University, which is seeking to force a Game 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UAAP Finals: La Salle seeks closeout, NU fights for survival

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UAAP Finals: La Salle seeks closeout, NU fights for survival

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Published May 08, 2026 10:55 PM PHT

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UAAP Season 88

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