The DLSU Lady Spikers ended their UAAP Season 87 Round Two campaign in a four-set thriller, 20-25, 26-28, 25-20, 23-25, that ended in an upset after falling short against the FEU Lady Tamaraws earlier tonight, April 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Collective efforts from the Taft-based squad were led by Team Captain Angel Canino, scoring 25 points from 22 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Shevana Laput and Jyne Soreño followed suit as they chipped in 12 and 11 points apiece.
On the other side of the taraflex, Gerzel Petallo was hailed as the Player of the Game as she led the Morayta-based squad, contributing 19 points from 16 attacks, one block, and two aces. Jazlyn Ellarina and Chenie Tagaod also helped in the Lady Tamaraws’ victory, each contributing 13 points and 10 points, respectively.
Tormenting faults
The maiden set saw a slow start for the Lady Spikers, struggling defensively as FEU’s Ellarina and Petallo were proactive on all sides of the court, 4-2. Rookie setter Mikole Reyes showed great connection with her middle as she dished a perfect set for Lilay Del Castillo to cut FEU’s lead by two, 5-3. Errors were evident for the Lady Spikers; Del Castillo miscalculated the timing of Faida Bakanke’s block, handing FEU a four-point advantage as they entered the first technical timeout, 8-5.
Down by a large margin, the Lady Spikers unleashed a much-needed 5-0 run as Canino and Laput proved to be the reliable wingers, perfectly timing their attacks on the court. Canino then scored from her signature crosscourt attack to take the lead for DLSU, 15-14. However, FEU quickly got the lead back as Christine Ubaldo’s set toyed with the La Salle blockers, opening up an opportunity for Bakanke to score, 18-16. Still struggling to send the ball across, the Lady Spikers’ defense errors made it difficult for them to craft scoring opportunities as Tagaod fired a service ace that Lyka De Leon was unable to receive, 21-19. The first set ended in favor of the FEU Tamaraws after a commanding 4-0 run from errors on La Salle’s side and back-to-back points from Petallo, 25-20.
Retribution denied
Affected by the opening set, plagued by costly errors, the Lady Spikers struggled to find their rhythm once again. The second set started as a close game, with both teams exchanging points. After an early deadlock, an error from the Lady Tamaraws and Canino’s back-to-back points sparked the beginning of La Salle’s momentum as they headed into the technical timeout with a three-point lead, 8-5. Despite the Lady Spikers being up by three points in the latter half of the set, the Lady Tamaraws were able to close the gap. The team from Morayta had a comeback fueled by a scoring run from Ellarina, extending their lead against the Lady Spikers to two, 21-19.
The Green-and-White continued to trail by two, but they capitalized on the Lady Tamaraws’ crucial errors, giving them a chance to win the set, 25-24. However, a service error by Alleiah Malaluan set a late tie at 25-all. Canino’s down-the-line kill gave the Lady Spikers an opportunity for redemption. However, DLSU’s lacking floor defense could not contain the Lady Tamaraws to grab the second set, 28-26.
Hopes not dashed
Down by two sets, the Lady Spikers were set on extending the match—a much-needed twice-to-beat advantage is still up for grabs. La Salle’s defense remained lackluster as they conceded a point in the long rally after miscommunication on the first ball. Soreño quickly made her presence felt after subbing into the game, scoring off the block, 3-2. The Lady Spikers’ signature net defense made an appearance to put a stop to Bakanke, as she was triple-blocked to extend the team’s lead by one, 5-4. Despite two blockers in front of her, Canino launched her ever-so-efficient crosscourt slice to give the team from Taft a two-point cushion, 8-6. As the wingers were unable to score, Jules Tolentino activated Amie Provido in the middle after wreaking havoc on FEU’s defense to extend their lead by three, 12-9.
As DLSU was now finding synergy, FEU’s frontline was in full effect. La Salle’s flawed net and floor defense was again highlighted as De Leon was late in receiving Petallo’s crosscourt dagger, 15-12. With FEU easily blocking La Salle’s middles, they relied on Canino’s crosscourt attacks to keep the lead on their side, 18-16. Tolentino did her best to stabilize the team’s offense despite shaky first balls as she delivered a one-handed set to Provido, 20-18. The Lady Spikers then went on a 5-0 rampage with Soreño’s veteran energy shining through. She was doing it all for La Salle, from manning the floor to efficiently scoring from the opposite, 22-20. The Lady Spikers successfully extended the match as Canino scored the set point from an overball, 25-20.
Defenses down
Following their valiant comeback in the third set, the Lady Spikers exhibited their dominance early in the fourth set, yet crucial errors hindered them from starting their momentum and expanding the gap. The Tolentino-Provido connection was evident again after a quick attack gave La Salle the lead into the technical timeout, 8-7. Despite maintaining the lead in the first half of the set, the Lady Spikers were unable to sustain it due to their persistent lack of floor defense and crucial errors.
An attack error from the side of the Lady Tamaraws extended the Taft-based team’s lead, 15-12. However, the service error from Shane Reterta and back-to-back points from FEU erased the gap, 15-all. La Salle was able to recalibrate by scoring two points in a row, 17-15. Yet, the Lady Tamaraws were quick to answer back as Ellarina’s block tied the game, 19-all. La Salle called for a timeout as an attack error from Laput gave the Lady Tamaraws the lead, 23-22. Canino scored a classic down-the-line kill, prompting FEU to call for a timeout this time, 24-23. In the end, the Lady Spikers were unable to tame the Lady Tamaraws as they dropped the fourth set and a crucial match for the twice-to-beat advantage, 25-23.
Ultimately, it was the La Salle’s dismal net and floor defense that landed the team a harrowing four-set loss to close their Elimination Round campaign. With this loss under their belt, the Lady Spikers will regroup and recharge as they await their Final Four standing as they head into the semifinals, still hoping to claim a twice-to-beat bonus.
The Scores
DLSU 1 – Canino 25, Laput 12, Soreño 11, Provido 9, Reterta 5, Del Castillo 2, Malaluan 2, Tolentino 2, De Leon 1, Rodriguez 0
FEU 3 – Petallo 19, Ellarina 13, Bakanke 10, Tagaod 10, Asis 9, Lopez 8, Loresco 2, Devosora 1, Ubaldo 1, Encarnacion 0, Monares 0, Pons 0
Set Scores: 20-25, 26-28, 25-20, 23-25
