MANILA, Philippines — La Salle is not going anywhere.
Dethroned and all, there is no way to go but up – and back – for the Lady Spikers as they vow a strong comeback in the next UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
“Siyempre nakakalungkot din po sa nangyari but hindi kami dito titigil. It will serve as a motivation for all of us,” said reigning MVP Angel Canino as La Salle saw their title retention bid come to an abrupt end over the weekend.
“Ito, itong loss na ito. Itong season na ito, motivation na ito.”
Staring at an unusual twice-to-win disadvantage as the third-seeded squad, La Salle faltered in a 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 defeat to bow out of contention early in the UAAP Season 86 Final Four.
Santo Tomas, which won all of its three outings against La Salle this season, made the most of its win-once bonus with a fifth-set runaway to end a five-year finals drought and deny the latter a third straight finals appearance.
It will be UST against either No. 1 National U or No. 4 Far Eastern U, which will clash in a rubber match on Wednesday after the Lady Tamaraws’ big win in Game 1, in the first finals in 16 years without La Salle or Ateneo.
The UAAP had featured either the Lady Spikers and the Blue Eagles, who finished fifth this season, in every finale since Season 70 (2008) when FEU beat Adamson.
La Salle deputy mentor Noel Orcullo said the Lady Spikers poured on everything in a bid to extend their reign to no avail
“’Yun lang talaga ang kinaya eh. Hanggang doon lang kaya ‘yun ang naging resulta. Siguro, bawi nalang kami next year,” said Orcullo.