Who will the DLSU Lady Spikers lean on in their bid to restore lost glory in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament?
Redemption will once again be on the DLSU Lady Spikers’ minds when they begin their preparations for the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
While they did enter the Season 87 finals, the Lady Spikers were outclassed by the NU Lady Bulldogs, who secured their second-straight UAAP seniors’ title under the leadership of a graduating class led by three-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen.
Making the finals was a remarkable feat for DLSU, especially with the growing pains they endured throughout the season. However, given the golden standards within Taft Avenue, these girls would have wanted nothing less than adding a 13th UAAP Women’s Volleyball title to their trophy case.
For now, only four DLSU players are expected to exit the program, with Alleiah Malaluan, Baby Jyne Soreño, Jules Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales being given one final tribute during the iconic Archers’ Stance at the end of their Season 87 campaign.
Malaluan, Soreño, Ordiales, and Tolentino all stepped into the middle of their team circle during the end-of-season tradition, which signals the end of their time as Lady Spikers.
But what about the holdovers?
Another year for Canino and company?
As of now, nothing is set in stone with the Lady Spikers respectfully declining from post-match interviews following their final Season 87 game against the Lady Bulldogs.
On paper, though, the trio of captain Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido are only in their third season in the UAAP, and will still have a maximum of two playing years left starting with Season 88.
Should they choose to skip the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, then it will be a massive sigh of relief for the Lady Spikers’ faithful, given they retain a veteran core that serves as a solid foundation in building a championship-caliber squad.
Canino shone as the Lady Spikers’ heart and soul throughout Season 87, emerging as the UAAP’s second-leading scorer (18.85 points per game) and seventh-best receiver (41.64 percent efficiency) on her way to a Best Outside Hitter Plum. Canino has also embraced her role as the Lady Spikers’ captain, with her on-court brilliance being accompanied by immense fighting spirit and sound leadership.
Both Laput and Provido have emerged as capable leaders to accompany captain Canino, providing another layer of leadership to their younger teammates throughout a tough UAAP season.
In terms of on-court production, Laput continued her rise to stardom with a Best Opposite Hitter plum, being Season 87’s fifth-highest scorer (17.57 points per game), and second-best server (0.40 aces per set) as she put her natural athleticism and height to full use.
Similarly, Provido bagged a Best Middle Blocker plum in her first season as DLSU’s lead net defender, which was backed up by solid numbers of 0.53 rejections per set and 9.7 points per game.
Behind these seniors, rookies Shane Reterta and Lilay del Castillo might just receive extended minutes heading into Season 88. Reterta had her breakout game as a sparkplug against Adamson last April 23, while del Castillo (0.45 blocks per set) landed in the top 10 best blockers as she split middle blocking duties with Provido.
Two-and-through wing spiker Jill Santos, if she plays out her second and final year, could also get her much-awaited playing time heading into next season.
It’s DLSU’s setting pool that will be an offseason storyline to watch, especially if Alas Pilipinas Under-18 setter Maile Salang and Eshana Nunag do join the Lady Spikers after completing their Senior High School studies.
If the stars align, then they are set to bolster a rotation that currently includes incoming sophomore and Season 87 lead setter Mikole Reyes, along with fourth-year playmaker Ela Raagas.
Without a doubt, it’s going to be a busy offseason for the DLSU Lady Spikers as they look to secure their first UAAP Women’s Volleyball title since their dominant Season 85 run back in 2023.
Banner images courtesy of Cas Aseoche, UAAP Media Bureau.