DLSU caps undefeated UAAP run with championship title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Sixteen wins, no losses. Champions.

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers are back at the top of UAAP women’s volleyball after completing a 2-0 sweep of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in Game 2 of the finals on May 9, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After a 14-0 record at the end of the elimination phase, the Lady Spikers continued their magical run and went on to another 2-0 postseason campaign, making the most of their direct ticket to the finals after finishing the first two rounds without a single loss.

Bolstered by an overwhelming 3-0 demolition in the championship series opener, DLSU rode the momentum and got the job done with another masterful finish.

Despite several key adjustments that NU deployed on the defensive end, DLSU’s well-oiled machine caught them off guard, especially in the final two sets, where the Lady Spikers turned a highly anticipated dogfight into a practice session on Taft Avenue.

The opener was the only tightly contested set after the Lady Bulldogs kicked off the survival game with several cross-court sets to Rookie of the Year winner Sam Cantada.

Cantada’s early offensive lift helped NU stay the course, backstopped by Vange Alinsug’s heroics that trimmed their deficit from four points to 21-22.

Just when NU thought it could rely on Alinsug, the Lady Spikers awakened at the perfect time as Shevana Laput and Angel Canino joined hands to generate DLSU’s three set-sealing points.

Laput hammered a down-the-line spike to increase DLSU’s lead to two points, while Canino’s on-point hit helped the ladies in green reach match point.

NU attempted to extend the match by feeding Cantada on the left side, but Laput ended their efforts with a big-time block to put the Lady Spikers ahead, 1-0.

Unfortunately, the Lady Bulldogs underwent a dry spell in the second and third sets, committing a series of unforced errors that the Lady Spikers capitalized on as they brought out the brooms to complete the championship sweep.

Laput spearheaded DLSU’s mayhem with a game-high 20 points on 14 successful attacks, alongside eight excellent digs and six blocks.

Fresh off a 17-point outing in Game 1, Canino never slowed down and delivered an all-around performance of 11 markers, 10 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs.

With the dominant Season 88 finish, the Lady Spikers collected their 13th UAAP women’s volleyball championship while avenging their loss to NU last year.

Redemption tour done.

Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for Season 88’s volleyball queens!