DLSU stomps NU, nears UAAP women’s volleyball crown

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers moved a win away from capturing the UAAP women’s volleyball championship after sweeping the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, in Game 1 of the finals on May 6, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Fresh off earning a direct ticket to the grand finals after recording a perfect 14-0 during the first two elimination rounds, the Lady Spikers didn’t show any court rust and sustained their magical UAAP Season 88 campaign by staying undefeated.

Not even a three-week vacation could slow down the rolling Lady Spikers as DLSU turned an anticipated dogfight into a lopsided beating.

In a wild atmosphere filled with green shirts and dark blue threads, it was the Lady Spikers who stepped up to the challenge of performing under the pressure of the UAAP’s brightest lights.

However, DLSU faced an early scare after NU displayed an efficient back-row attack to establish a 19-14 lead in the opening set.

Through the combined scoring effort of veterans Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug, the Lady Bulldogs got the dream start they wanted, clinching an early advantage while moving six points away from taking a 1-0 lead.

Just when NU thought it could swiftly jump into the driver’s seat, the Lady Spikers countered with a demoralizing rally, courtesy of Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Lilay del Castillo.

Provido kicked off DLSU’s resurgence, Canino finally broke out of her slump, and del Castillo made it tough for NU’s outside hitters to score easy points.

From a five-point deficit, DLSU hacked out a stunning 11-4 scoring run to cap off the first set with momentum while putting the whole Lasallian community on its feet.

That dramatic first-set comeback then set the tone for the Lady Spikers as they ran over NU in the final two sets of the championship game.

Shevana Laput, who was quiet in the opening frame, started to heat up midway through the second set and helped the Lady Spikers pull off a wire-to-wire win to go up 2-0.

Despite an early 4-0 run from NU in the third set, DLSU once again caught fire and sucked the life out of the Lady Bulldogs with a decisive 9-0 counter to build a comfortable 23-15 lead.

Unfortunately for the Lady Bulldogs, their back-to-back errors in the most crucial stretch of the third set cost them the game, and they could only watch Canino pummel a cross-court attack that sealed the deal for DLSU.

Canino picked up where she left off after a consistent showing in the elimination rounds, leading DLSU with 17 points on 15 successful attacks, nine excellent digs, and five excellent receptions.

Provido, who came up big during DLSU’s come-from-behind run in the first set, finished with 12 markers, four blocks, three excellent receptions, and a service ace.

Both schools will meet again for Game 2 of the UAAP women’s volleyball finals on May 9, 2026, still at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Can the Lady Spikers complete their redemption tour?

Or can the Lady Bulldogs bounce back and force a winner-take-all Game 3 for all the marbles?