Sans Canino,Lady Spikers trim UP rivals

MANILA, Philippines —  Reigning champion La Salle, without injured ace Angel Canino, braved on and withstood a University of the Philippines storm, 26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 27-25, to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four spot in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Spikers felt the absence of the reigning MVP but summoned enough strength and energy to beat the Lady Maroons in a dogfight.

A scintillating comeback in the fourth set sealed the win for the Lady Spikers.

On the verge of allowing a decider with a 22-24 deficit, La Salle unleashed a searing 5-1 finishing kick to seal the deal in two hours and 17 minutes behind the heroics of Shevana Laput and Alleiah Malaluan.

With Canino confined on the bench with her right arm on a sling, Malaluan fired a season-high 17 points on 16 attacks, none bigger than a flurry in the fourth.

Laput led the way with 21 while Princess Maicah Larroza also rose to the occasion with 12 points as La Salle climbed to 8-1.