DLSU keeps unbeaten UAAP run alive after taking down UST

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers protected their untainted record in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament following an impressive win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST), 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14, on March 25, 2026, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

With another win, the Lady Spikers just extended their unbeaten UAAP record to nine wins without a loss, moving closer to securing an early ticket for the Season 88 Final Four playoff round.

Although DLSU only dropped a single set, and the result may look good on paper, the Golden Tigresses actually gave them a run for their money, specifically in sets 2 and 3, when UST found its groove offensively.

After dominating the second set to equalize the highly anticipated showdown at 1-all, UST picked up where they left off, kicking off the third frame with a waxing-hot scoring barrage to grab a 20-12 lead and move five points away from retaking a 2-1 advantage.

However, DLSU responded with a sense of urgency, stunning the Golden Tigresses with the game-defining 13-3 run, courtesy of combined two-way efforts from Angel Canino, Shane Reterta, Lilay Del Castillo, and Amie Provido.

Del Castillo started DLSU’s come-from-behind run with mean blocks, backstopped by Canino and Reterta’s offensive down-the-line hits. Meanwhile, Provido delivered the clutch block touches during the crucial stretch that frustrated UST heading into the fourth set.

During the aftermath of the massive turnaround, UST looked flat at the start of the fourth set and could only watch the rejuvenated Lady Spikers maintain their firepower, wrapping up the showdown in four hard-fought periods.

Canino led the DLSU fight back with 17 big points built from 15 successful attacks, alongside seven excellent digs and five excellent receptions.

Retarta continued her consistent outing for the Lady Spikers and tallied 10 markers on eight successful attacks, while the duo of Provido and Del Castillo chipped in nine and seven points, respectively.

“Gawan ng paraan kung medyo hindi bagay dumadating sa ini-expect nila,” said DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus after improving to 9-0.

“Ilaban lang hanggang sa mapanalo yung situation, and nag-work naman. Unti-unting iginapang yung score hanggang dumating sa endgame.”

The Lady Spikers will have the chance to extend their undefeated streak to 10-0 on March 29, 2026, against the University of the Philippines (UP), while UST aims to rekindle its spark on the same date against Far Eastern University (FEU).