DLSU survives UST’s late push to maintain perfect UAAP record

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers escaped the University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) courageous third-set rally to pull off an impressive 25-14, 25-15, 26-24 sweep in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Feb. 22, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After decimating the Golden Tigresses in the first two sets to take a commanding 2-0 lead, the Lady Spikers withstood a fiery comeback from UST that turned a one-sided affair into a potential slugfest.

Just when DLSU thought they were set for another walk in the park with a 20-16 lead in the third, UST woke up at the most perfect time, surging ahead with a demoralizing 7-2 run to retake the advantage, 22-23.

Angge Poyos was huge during that wild UST rally, hammering consecutive cross-court spikes while scoring a clutch service ace that kept the Golden Tigresses alive in the match.

The UST crowd then finally roared their loudest cheers when the Golden Tigresses reached set point, 22-24, courtesy of a Xyza Gula attack that slipped past Mikee Santos’ fingertips.

However, DLSU showed they still had enough gas left in the tank, needing a little bit of help from a Gula error to inch closer to within a point, 23-24.

Stepping up for the Lady Spikers in the winning stretch of the third set was team captain Shevana Laput, who utilized her towering frame to score back-to-back blocks for DLSU to help restore order and the cushion, 25-24.

Laput then saved the best for last after scoring the match-sealing point, outsmarting the whole UST backline defense with a crafty drop ball in the open area on the right baseline.

For the second straight game, Laput led DLSU in scoring, delivering 21 big points built from 17 successful attacks alongside four blocks.

Meanwhile, Angel Canino remained steady and productive as she backstopped Laput with an all-around effort of 13 markers, eight excellent receptions, three blocks and a service ace.

On the other hand, Poyos willed the Golden Tigresses with 16 points on 13 attacks but needed more help as fellow outside hitter Regina Jurado had only seven points the whole game.

The Lady Spikers will gun for their third straight victory on Feb. 25, 2026, against the University of the Philippines (UP), while UST aims to end its disappointing skid on Feb. 28, 2026, against the University of the East (UE).