De La Salle University’s Angel Canino and head coach Ramil de Jesus in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University is on a roll in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Spikers ended Round 1 with a convincing win over Far Eastern University, and this allowed the Taft-based hitters to take hold of solo third place in the team standings with a 5-2 record.

READ: Laput takes over as La Salle ends Round 1 with statement sweep of FEU

For La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, this is a result of his squad finally starting to live up to their potential after starting the year at 1-2.

“Nakita ko ngayon, focused na sila,” Coach Ramil said on Saturday after their win which extended their win streak to four. “Sometimes, may mga players na ‘di maiwasan na mag panic, so yun lang, gusto ko lang makita na di sila mag panic, mag mature pa.”

La Salle only had 16 errors, fewer less than the Lady Tams, and Canino mirrored her coach’s sentiments when asked about what’s changed for them since their slow start to the season.

“Mas focused yung team ngayon, mas eager yung team, and mas gutom kami,” said Canino, who had 10 points, eight receptions, and seven digs. “Kahit shaky yung start namin, gusto naming patunayan na meron kaming pangalan na dinadala.”

On the offensive end, two other Lady Spikers finished in double digits as Shevana Laput had 22 while Alleiah Malaluan posted 12, and according to the Season 85 ROY-MVP, proved that La Salle is more than just the ‘Angel Canino show.’

“Yung La Salle naman, hindi puro Angel Canino lang, naniniwala ako dun,” she insisted. “I’m very happy na maraming nag step up, and nalalabas na ng bawat isa sa amin yung laro nila, meaning may teamwork kami.”

And this, according to the one-time UAAP champion, is a testament to how DLSU is finally starting to reach its peak.

“Nasa tamang path kami,” Canino emphasized. “Pero at the same time, every game, meron pa rin kaming natututunang bagong lesson para mag-improve yung team. Andoon na kami, pero mas may ilalakas pa kami.”

For Coach Ramil, the key for the Lady Spikers to achieve those moving forward is to show consistency.