La Salle, NU spikers set poetic rematch

MANILA, Philippines — And they meet again.

Top-seeded La Salle and reigning champion National U forced a poetic rematch in the “Last Dance,” smothering their lower-ranked counterparts in one attempt in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both armed with win-once bonuses as the higher seeds, the Lady Spikers got back at slayer and No. 4 Santo Tomas when it mattered most, 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19, as the Lady Bulldogs also made short work of No. 3 Adamson, 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15.

The two powerhouse squads will slug it out once more – with revenge for La Salle versus NU’s mastery as the theme of the duel – in the best-of-three finals starting on Sunday also at the Big Dome.

Super rookie Angel Canino hammered out 19 points on 18 hits along with 10 digs as the Lady Spikers maximized their advantage to barge into their 20th finals appearance, at the expense of no less than their second-round tormentors.

Jolina dela Cruz added 10 with Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan chipping in nine points apiece in La Salle’s triumphant revenge on UST.

This time, there was no denying La Salle with Mars Alba (12 sets) and Justine Jazareno (22 digs and 16 receptions) also providing solid coverage.

“We’re happy dahil ‘yun nga, na-redeem namin ‘yung pagkatalo namin nung second round. So ito, finals na,” said deputy mentor Noel Orcullo.

It did not take long for the Bulldogs to follow suit with reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen (29), Alyssa Solomon (21) and Evangeline Alinsug (14) forming a lethal trio in a reverse sweep of the Lady Falcons.

Belen added 19 receptions, Solomon chipped in 12 digs with Jen Nierva (14 digs and 16 receptions) and Lams Lamina (24 sets) quarterbacking their attack and floor defense.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division, top gunner Mark Calado fired 22 points as No. 3 Far Eastern U toppled No. 4 La Salle, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, in the first phase of the stepladder semifinals.

FEU earned the right to face No. 2 Santo Tomas on Sunday in another knockout duel with the survivor advancing to the finals against defending champion NU.