The De La Salle University Lady Spikers etched another historic chapter in Philippine collegiate volleyball after completing a flawless championship run in UAAP Season 88, sweeping the NU Lady Bulldogs in the Finals to secure their 13th women’s volleyball title on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
La Salle capped a perfect 16-0 season—its first undefeated campaign in 22 years—by overpowering National University in Game 2 of the best-of-three Finals, completing a championship sweep and reclaiming the crown in dominant fashion.
Backed by a roaring crowd of 22,509 fans, the Lady Spikers finished the job in straight sets, sealing not only the title but also a rare perfect season last achieved by NU in Season 84 (2022), as reported by RHTV Millie Borja.
Head coach Ramil De Jesus expressed pride over the team’s resilience, especially after a difficult Season 87 campaign marked by injuries, roster changes, and a painful Finals loss.
“Kung mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na makabalik sa Finals, gusto naming makabawi sa NU. Hindi madali ang pinagdaanan namin,” De Jesus said, noting the team’s recovery struggles and rebuilding process.
La Salle immediately asserted control in Game 2, tightening its grip in the third set where a 6-2 surge led by Shevana Laput, Eshana Nunag, and Angel Canino broke the frame wide open at 19-12, effectively shutting the door on NU’s comeback hopes.
Laput delivered the finishing blow with a backrow hit down the line to complete the one-hour-and-30-minute sweep and was later named Finals Most Valuable Player.
“We knew they would come in more motivated, so we had to match and exceed that energy,” Laput said. “Winning in three sets shows how badly we wanted this championship.”
Laput led La Salle with 20 points built on 14 attacks and 6 blocks, while also tallying 8 digs. Canino contributed an all-around performance with 11 points, 10 receptions, and 10 digs, while Nunag orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets.
Other key contributors included Shane Reterta with 8 points and Lyka De Leon, who anchored the defense with 10 excellent digs and 7 excellent receptions.
For NU, Vange Alinsug finished with 14 points as the Lady Bulldogs settled for silver after dominating the league in the past two seasons. Rookie Sam Cantada showed promise with 8 attack points and 8 digs, but it was not enough to extend the series.
The victory marks La Salle’s return to supremacy and reinforces its status as one of the most successful programs in UAAP women’s volleyball history under De Jesus.
Meanwhile, in the men’s division, the NU Bulldogs completed a separate championship sweep over the FEU Tamaraws to capture their sixth title.
