La Salle renews UST rivalry with win No. 9 in sight
La Salle shoots for a ninth straight win, while University of Santo Tomas looks to tighten the Final Four race in a key UAAP women’s volleyball showdown on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The unbeaten Lady Spikers (8-0) face the Tigresses (5-3) at 1 p.m., with La Salle aiming to further distance itself from the field and UST seeking to force a three-way tie for second place.
Adjustments crucial
La Salle enters the match riding momentum from a come-from-behind victory over Adamson last Saturday, overcoming two five-point deficits late in the fourth set to pull out a 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23 win.
Assistant coach Noel Orcullo expects another tight contest, noting that adjustments will play a crucial role in the second round.
“In the first round, teams really studied us. This is the real battle now,” Orcullo said. “In the second round, everyone has adjusted and seen each team’s strengths and weaknesses. Whatever adjustments we make—and UST makes—we just have to execute.”
La Salle will lean on Angel Canino, the league’s second-best spiker, who emphasized the need to shore up their defense at the net.
“We need to focus on our blocking, defense and service,” Canino said. “It’s about making the right in-game adjustments against UST.”
Middle blockers Amie Provido and Lilay del Castillo, along with Shevana Laput, are expected to anchor La Salle’s net defense.
UST, meanwhile, comes in on a three-game winning streak and with renewed confidence after a slow 2-3 start.
Falcons vs Eagles
Assistant coach Yani Fernandez said preparation remains key despite a demanding stretch that includes academic responsibilities for the players.
“We’ll rely on our scouting and team connection,” Fernandez said. “It’s a challenging stretch, but that’s not a reason. We will prepare well and hopefully get the win.”
Angge Poyos, the league’s leading spiker, said UST’s improvement has been driven by a collective effort.
“It’s not just me performing, but the whole team,” Poyos said. “In the second round, everyone needs to step up.”
A victory by UST would create a three-way tie with Far Eastern University and defending champion National University at 6-3, strengthening its bid for a top-two finish.
In the second game at 3 p.m., Adamson (4-4) faces Ateneo (1-7), with the Lady Falcons aiming to stay in the top four and repeat their season-opening sweep of the Blue Eagles.
