La Salle Lady Spikers huddle after losing to the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The La Salle Lady Spikers walked out of the Mall of Asia Arena to cheers and support from their fans and cheerleaders after finishing as runners-up in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament
La Salle suffered a sweep at the hands of National University, a three-time champion in the last four Finals, with a 19-25, 18-25, 19-25 Game 2 loss in front of 18,514 fans on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, the best outside and opposite spikers of the season, led the losing effort with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino after they lost to NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 womens’ volleyball tournament Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
It marked the second time La Salle was swept by Bella Belen and the Lady Bulldogs–the first being NU’s perfect Season 84 campaign.
None of the Lady Spikers granted media interviews after absorbing their ninth finals loss in 21 appearances, but the Lady Spikers received warm welcome from fans who stayed behind as the team boarded their bus.
Canino and Laput were seen congratulating Alyssa Solomon and other NU players outside the arena. La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus also briefly greeted three-time MVP Bella Belen from his seat on the team bus.
Angel Canino congratulates the NU Lady Bulldogs. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cVuYGWpKyb
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 14, 2025
Despite falling short of the crown for the second straight year, La Salle still had a commendable season.
After a 9-5 elimination record, the Lady Spikers beat last year’s finalist, University of Santo Tomas, in the playoff for the No. 2 seed to secure the last twice-to-beat bonus.
READ: UAAP: Pride and redemption fuel La Salle’s finals return
They made the most of that advantage, avenging last year’s Final Four exit at the hands of UST to return to the championship round.
The Lady Spikers will now return to the drawing board. The last time NU swept them in the Finals, La Salle came back stronger the next year to win Season 85 with Canino leading the way as Rookie-MVP.
With La Salle once again declining media interviews after the game, it remains unclear who will return next season. This year’s graduating seniors include Jyne Soreña, Alleiah Malaluan, Jules Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales.
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