Wary of complacency, Lady Spikers brush off 12-0 slate after demolishing Blue Eagles

La Salle Lady Spikers

(UAAP Media Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Just a number.

With La Salle nearing a season sweep, the Lady Spikers are making sure that they keep the killer instinct moving forward as they guard against complacency.

La Salle remained undefeated in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-13, 25-12, 25-18, Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

With the victory, the squad clinched the top spot in the season.

After the game, Lilay del Castillo said that their perfect record so far is “merely a number.”

“Sa amin naman po, first of all, yung 12-0 namin na standing, it’s merely a number po. For us, parang… wala po yung pressure sa amin. Pero siyempre, parang goal pa rin namin, masweep, yun yung gina-goal namin,” the middle blocker, who finished with nine points, told reporters after the win.

“Pero para maiwasan po namin yung dagdag pressure, mas ine-enjoy na lang namin, lalo nang malapit na rin po itong pa-semis. Parang na-enjoy ko na lang yung time na with my teammates,” she added.

La Salle has been dominant this season. Entering Saturday’s game, the Taft-based squad is the top spiking, blocking and setting team in the eight-team field.

For her part, setter Eshana Nunag underscored that the pressure is still there despite the Lady Spikers clinching the top spot.

“Iniisip lang din po namin lagi is, parang yun nga po sabi ni Ate Lilay. Yung elims po is just a number. And each game, dapat inisip din po namin yung nothing to lose,” said Nunag, who had two points and 22 excellent sets.

“Ilalaro lang din po namin with no… parang heavy burden na nasa shoulders.”

Del Castillo, seconded this, adding that there is also the privilege of gunning for a sweep.

“Lagi po talaga yun nandun. It's a matter of how are we gonna handle it as a team.”

Angel Canino top-scored for La Salle with 15 points to go with nine receptions and three digs, while Amie Provido had 12 markers. Shevana Laput chipped in nine points.

Ana Hermosura was the lone Blue Eagle in double digits with 10 points. Alex Montoro and Zel Tsunashima had seven and six points, respectively, in the losing effort.

Ateneo dropped to a 1-11 win-loss record.