Injury-hit La Salle star Angel Canino was reduced to a cheerleader as the Lady Spikers repulsed UP in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
La Salle did not need reigning MVP Angel Canino to thwart University of the Philippines, 26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 27-25, and clinch at least a playoff for a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, April 4.
It did not come easy, though.
With Canino incurring a non-volleyball-sustained right arm injury, the Lady Spikers had it rough before hacking out their eighth win in nine games.
Just when DLSU looked ready to wrap up the match in the third, the Fighting Maroons made one last push and tied the count at 24-all on Nina Ytang's emphatic block before Shevana Laput's attack error gave UP a lease on life, 26-24.
The Fighting Maroons looked at another chance to extend the match as they posted two set points, 24-22, in the tightly contested fourth frame.
But the Lady Spikers leaned on Alleiah Malaluan, Maicah Larroza and Julia Coronel to shut the door on UP.
“Siguro nabigla lang ang mga bata. Hindi inaasahan kasing wala si Angel. Pero sinabihan namin sila na maging ready lang,” said DLSU assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
In Canino’s stead, Laput took care of business and fired a game-high 21 points. Malaluan and Larroza added 17 and 11 points, respectively.
“Hind naman nakadepende ang team namin sa isang tao lang. Lahat naman kayang mag-deliver,” said Larroza.
Meanwhile, Irah Jaboneta paced the Fighting Maroons with 18 points.
Steph Bustrillo chipped in 16 while Joan Monares and Ytang scored 10 each as UP fell to a dismal 1-9 record.