The defending UAAP champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs, handed the DLSU Lady Spikers a tough opening-day loss in three hard-fought sets—23-25, 21-25, 18-25.
While the result wasn’t what the green-and-white faithful hoped for, the match revealed glimpses of potential and areas to build on as the season unfolds.
NU came out swinging haymakers with their championship core of six firing with all guns blazing. The Lady Bulldogs’ polished offense and net dominance put La Salle on the back foot early, taking a 6-12 lead in the first set.
The Lady Spikers, however, showed resilience. Shevana Laput, Allieah Malaluan, Angel Canino, and Aimee Provido fought valiantly, with Laput sparking a late rally to tie the set at 23-all. But NU’s Sheena Toring delivered a crushing blow through the middle, and a misfire from a Laput attack going straight to the net sealed the set for the Lady Bulldogs, 23-25.
The disparity in height and net presence was evident, with NU’s Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Toring, Alyssa Mata, and Vannie Alinsug forming a formidable defensive wall. La Salle’s adjustments to contain the Solomon-Belen duo left gaps in the middle and backline, which NU exploited with ruthless efficiency.
The second set, however, showed what this Lady Spikers squad is capable of. Julyana Tolentino orchestrated the offense with improved precision, and La Salle came out more composed, building an 11-10 lead. But NU responded with a 3-6 run, reclaiming control at 14-16. Despite the Lady Spikers’ efforts to claw back, Belen’s uncontested smash ended the set, 21-25, putting NU up 0-2.
By the third set, the Lady Spikers were visibly struggling to find answers to NU’s relentless offensive patterns. Canino, usually a scoring powerhouse, was held to just seven points, while La Salle’s floor defense managed only 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent sets. The Lady Spikers were outscored in attacks, 32-48, and registered only three block points—an ailing stat line that underscores the areas needing immediate improvement.
Yes, it was a tough loss. But let’s not forget: this is just the opening day. There are 13 more games to go, and if there’s one thing we know about Coach Ramil De Jesus and the Lady Spikers, it’s that they never stay down for long. This team has the talent, the heart, and the coaching to bounce back.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but the green-and-white faithful will be there every step of the way. This is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come.
ANIMO LA SALLE!
Onward, Lady Spikers!
The fight continues.
I wish that they will stop putting too much pressure on themselves by calling this a redemption season. It feels more like a retooling season.
Maybe it’s just me….
fully agree .