malaysiangManila: De La Salle University kicked off its return to the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship with a 25-14, 18-25, 26-24, 25-12 victory over University of the Philippines-Diliman at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Saturday.
Shevana Maria Laput had 18 points — 17 on attacks — while Angel Anne Canino chipped in 14 attacks and two blocks for the Lady Spikers, who needed two hours and 36 minutes to wrap up the Pool C match.
La Salle looked unstoppable in the fourth set as middle blocker Amie Provido and Katrina Del Castillo joined hands with Laput and Canino in a 14-2 run.
‘It was really just sticking to our system, listening to what the coaches were telling us but most importantly, playing with pride and puso (heart),’ Laput, the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 National Invitationals, said.
Provido and Del Castillo finished with 10 and eight points, respectively.
La Salle was leading 23-18 in the third set before UP fought back to tie at 23-all.
UP’s error gave La Salle a 24-
23 advantage but Irah Jaboneta managed to score for deuce.
Laput came up with a crosscourt attack while Povido scored on a block off Kassandra Doering to win the set.
Rookie Kianne Olango led the Fighting Maroons with 12 points, followed by Doering with seven points, including two blocks.
Jaboneta and Nina Ytang added six points each.
Meanwhile, University of the East defeated Lyceum of the Philippines University, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-14, in Pool B.
Jelai Gajero, fully recovered from a knee injury, had a game-high 20 points on 17 attacks, two blocks and an ace for the Lady Warriors.
Riza Nogales had 15 points while KC Cepada and Nahomie Mpata scored nine and eight points, respectively.
Johna Dolorito led Lyceum with 10 points.
Source: Philippines News Agency
