The DLSU Lady Spikers failed to withstand the pressure as they succumbed against the reigning champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs, in a harrowing four-set beatdown, 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 20-25, to end their 2024 Shakey’s Super League Tournament with a Silver finish earlier tonight, November 24, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Despite their heartbreaking loss, team captain Angel Canino delivered an outstanding performance for the Lady Spikers, nicking nine points from nine attacks. Supporting her were Alleiah Malaluan and Katrina Del Castillo, who scored eight and seven points, respectively, on the Green-and-White’s scoreboard.
Leading the charge for the Bulldogs, team captain Bella Belen gave out 15 points from 12 attacks, one block, and an ace, bagging her the MVP of the conference award. Alyssa Solomon and Evangeline Alinsug bolstered NU’s plays with 19 and 10 points, respectively.
Battle of the captains
Hoping to extend their bid for victory, the Lady Spikers stepped on the court with renewed vigor, matching the ladies in blue’s hunger for the gold. Laying down the law, the Lady Bulldogs dominated the first few minutes of the game with Belen leading the charge, 3-1. Shevanna Laput struck back with a down-the-line and an attacking error from the Lady Bulldogs, 3-all. With both teams testing out the waters, they exchanged several deadlocks until the scores stood at 8-all. Coming out of the first technical timeout, La Salle was on shaky grounds, giving the Lady Bulldogs an opening to strike against the Green-and-White’s weak net and floor defense.
Seeing the deficit, Laput and Canino rallied the Lady Spikers to put their mind in the game and amp up their momentum, 15-14. Belen attempted to regain control but was unsuccessful, 17-15. Solomon and Alinsug also tried to stop the bleeding, however, Canino did not let this pass trigger an NU timeout, 23-21. With a newfound determination, Belen tied the scoreline with a sharp cross, but DLSU’s grit soon towered over the ladies in blue. Laput’s successful attack sent the Lady Spikers to a set point. A timely monster block from Del Castillo ended the first set in favor of La Salle, 25-23.
Caught in the doghouse
Despite a successful first set outing, DLSU failed to maintain their intensity in the second set. NU’s Celine Marsh and Kaye Bombita both highlighted their well-timed attacks to the opposite sideline, displaying a great connection with their setter. Upon seeing two NU blockers preparing for her, Malaluan exhibited her athleticism by switching her approach mid-air to a soft tap, cutting NU’s lead to one, 4-3. Seeing La Salle close behind, the Lady Bulldogs amped up their net defense, allowing Aishat Bello to score back-to-back blocks that give NU a four-point cushion leading to the first technical timeout, 8-4.
Although La Salle made commendable efforts in manning the floor, their errors halted their momentum. Amor Guinto committed a crucial attack error, handing NU a sizable lead, 12-8. Even with Jessa Ordiales showing up for the Lady Spikers, NU’s Arah Panique responded with a crosscourt dagger that penetrated DLSU’s signature block, 16-14. It was a battle of stamina between both teams as their defensive efforts were put to the test. Despite Lyka De Leon successfully digging multiple attacks from Belen, Solomon caught the La Salle defenders off-guard with a precise opposite-side attack to end the long rally. This was followed by an astounding monster block by Belen, which widened NU’s lead by five, 20-15. Amie Provido launched a sharp running attack for DLSU, giving the team a much-needed boost, 22-18. Alarmed by the large lead, the Lady Spikers’ focus went haywire, dropping the set with a harrowing eight-point deficit after a one-two play by Camilla Lamina, 25-18.
Pressure on
The third set saw the Lady Spikers further unravel under NU’s outstanding net and floor defensive strategies as they opened the match with a six-point deficit, 7-1. With the Lady Bulldogs heightening the pressure, Baby Jyne Soreño put out a sharp attack to deter NU’s lead, but Solomon answered back as she nicked two consecutive marks for the Bulldogs, 10-3. As La Salle struggled to gain their footing, a substitution ensued to force the upper hand back to the team. However, the Lady Spikers could not stop the bleeding as they continued to scramble against Solomon and Alinsug’s relentless onslaught, 16-5.
After the second technical timeout, the Green-and-White stepped on the court with restored determination. Malaluan came back with a strong attack, but an attacking error from the Lady Spikers impeded their run, 16-6. NU capitalized on La Salle’s faults and gave the Taft-based squad a beatdown. Del Castillo’s relentless fighting spirit allowed her to score for the team with a drop followed by Malaluan’s sharp cross dagger, 21-13. Despite their efforts at filling in the gap, the Bulldogs remained undeterred, continuing to put pressure on La Salle. Much to no avail, a net touch from the Lady Spikers and an attacking error from Malaluan ended the set with a nine-point deficit against the ladies in blue, 25-16.
Offense astray, defense in disarray
Both teams entered the fourth set with great fervor as the venue witnessed a showdown between reliable scorers, including Solomon’s clean hit and Alinsug’s pipe attack. Canino responded with a brawny hit to Zone Five and a crosscourt blitz by Provido to bring the set to an early deadlock, 4-all. In spite of a costly service error by Del Castillo, Malaluan managed to score back-to-back points from an attack and a block as Provido withstood Belen’s charge to minimize NU’s lead to one, 9-8. The Lady Bulldogs refused to let go of their lead, setting off a 3-0 run with Lamina setting up a highlight combination play using Alexa Mata as a decoy. Falling for the bait, the Taft towers were unprepared for Alinsug’s sharp hit, 12-8.
Still struggling with their reception, the Lady Spikers could not contain NU’s mastery on the court as Belen swiftly attacked her sweet spot in Zone Five, which was too fast for Lyka De Leon, 17-12. Hoping to reignite their spirits, young setter Mikole Reyes scored from a drop ball, but it was not enough to subdue the Lady Bulldogs’ presence as Mata and Solomon chipped in markers, increasing NU’s gap to 21-14. Not backing down for the Lady Spikers was Canino, whose sharp dagger allowed them to enter the 20-point mark. Despite these late contributions, ladies in green were unable to outpace NU. A final strike by Alinsug sealed the silver finish for La Salle as the Lady Bulldogs successfully defended their championship title, 25-20.
The rebuilding Lady Spikers ended their 2024 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Championship campaign as first runner-up. They boast an impressive track record, dropping only two out of their ten games in the league and sweeping all matches until the semifinal. After losing in straight sets in Game One of the best-of-three finals, the DLSU Lady Spikers made every effort to match the Lady Bulldogs’ grit on the hard court. Nevertheless, this attempt was not enough to overpower the Lady Bulldogs, who were on the hunt for their third straight Shakey’s Super League Championship title.
Eager to regroup and refine their strategies, the Lady Spikers will now return to the drawing board as they prepare for the upcoming UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
The Scores:
DLSU 1 – Canino 9, Malaluan 8, Del Castillo 7, Provido 6, Soreño 6, Laput 6, Guinto 3, Ordiales 3, Caringal 1, Retereta 1, Reyes 1, De Leon 0, Tolentino 0, De Jesus 0,
NU 3 – Solomon 19, Belen 15, Alinsug 10, Pangilinan 6, Marsh 4, Panique 3, Bello 2, Mata 2, Bombita 2, Lamina 1, Jardio 0, Maaya 0, Pono 0,
Set Scores: 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 20-25
