De La Salle University’s Angel Canino against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA (UPDATED) — De La Salle University overcame a tough stance from its rivals Ateneo de Manila University to tally its third straight victory in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.

The Lady Spikers dumped the Blue Eagles, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19, during their Wednesday evening faceoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and this came after they bounced back from their setback in the third frame.

"Ni-remind ko lang sila na sa ganoong situations, kailangang mangibabaw ng tibay ng dibdib. Nung third set, nagkaroon ng errors, may mga hindi naka-control, so nag tuloy-tuloy na," said DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus during the postgame presser.

"So nung fourth, ni-remind ko lang sila na: Maniwala kayo sa kaya niyong gawin,'" he continued of his team which improved to 4-2.

Heading the charge was Shevana Laput who put up her UAAP career best of 25 points (19 attacks, three blocks, and three aces) with six digs, while Angel Canino finished with 17 markers (eight digs, four receptions).

"Whether or not the other team has injured players, we still play with respect and pride because they are Ateneo," commented Laput after they went against the short-staffed Blue Eagles side. 

"At the end of the day, for our team, it was all about being true to ourselves and playing the game that we know," she added, before Canino mirrored her sentiments. 

"For us, sobrang importante ng panalo na 'to," said Canino. "Pinag uusapan nga po namin yung pride. Tinatawag nga pong rivalry, so gusto pa rin po naming patunayan na kahit mga bata kami, meron pa rin pong pride as a team."

The Lady Spikers managed to recover from their third set loss all thanks to their advantage in attack points (48-37), and in blocks (13-2), and these helped them overcome their 29 errors to ADMU's 26.

For RDJ, La Salle needs to overcome pressure to avoid these as they continue their hunt for a Final 4 spot. 

"Every practice, pino-polish namin lahat," said the multi-time titled coach. "Lumalabas naman, nasa 80% yung kaya naming gawin, pero pagdating sa game may pressure na. Doon mo malalaman kung matibay yung dibdib ng players mo."

On the other hand, Ateneo leaned on Lyann de Guzman's 16 points, AC Miner's 13, and Yvana Sulit's seven, but these went for naught as they fell to 1-5 in the team standings. 

Aside from this, La Salle also clinched its 15th straight victory over Ateneo since May 2, 2017, in Season 79 in 2017.