La Salle assured of twice-to-beat edge

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated La Salle clinched the first twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four with a gutsy 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-10 win over skidding contender Far Eastern U in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Spikers wasted a 2-0 set lead but flashed steely nerves when it mattered most to fend off the Lady Tamaraws in two hours and 26 minutes for their 11th win in as many games.

Already in the semis even before the Holy Week break, La Salle checked the second goal off its redemption tour with a pretty chance to also complete a rare 14-0 sweep and an outright finals berth.

Standing in La Salle’s way to complete a wipeout and advance straight to the best-of-three finale are Ateneo, winless University of the East and back-to-back reigning champion National U, which will be out to avenge a first-round defeat.

Angel Canino scattered 23 points on 19 hits and four blocks, including the game-clinching hit, laced by 13 digs and 10 receptions in yet another all-around brilliance to shore up her second Season MVP drive.

Team captain Shevana Laput added the same output with 18 hits, four blocks and an ace while Amie Provido swatted six kills by the Lady Tamaraws en route to 16 points.

Lovely Lopez (16), Gerzel Petallo (14) and Faida Bakanke (11) put up a fight but the Lady Tamaraws, who became only the second team to drag the Lady Spikers to a fifth set this season after Adamson, absorbed a costly second straight loss to fall at 6-5.