La Salle clobbers FEU, revs up for 2nd round

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle added fellow contender FEU to its killing spree with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 win to gain solo third spot in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Shevana Laput was unstoppable with 22 points on 18 hits, three blocks and an ace as the Lady Spikers notched their fourth straight win for a 5-2 slate behind unbeaten National U (6-0) and Santo Tomas (5-1).

Alleiah Malaluan and Angel Canino added 12 and 10 points, respectively, to complete the lethal troika of coach Ramil de Jesus, who at one stretch this season stared at a 1-2 mark to match their worst start in almost two decades.

Up against FEU that’s also on a tear with three straight wins, La Salle just would not be denied by dominating the first two sets before erasing a 17-18 deficit in the close third set.

La Salle needed only 81 minutes to repel FEU in the duel between Final Four contenders as teams began to scramble for safe positions heading into the crucial second round next week.

Earlier, Ateneo eked out a thrilling 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13 comeback win against listless University of the East to end its first-round campaign at 2-5, and snap a three-game skid.

“We’re happy to execute the game plan despite having a short time to prepare for FEU. The team did a good job. Their focus was there from start to finish,” said De Jesus, whose wards just came off a four-set win against rival Ateneo last Wednesday.

No player finished in twin digits for the usually balanced FEU side, which slid to 4-3.

Earlier, Ateneo eked out a thrilling 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13 comeback win against listless University of the East to end its first-round campaign at 2-5, and snap a three-game skid.