UAAP WOWEN'S VOLLEYBALL SEASON 85

In 2023, the DLSU Lady Spikers won their 12th championship title in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament. Angel Canino was crowned as the Overall Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. 

With a score of 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10, the Lady Spikers made a huge comeback after losing the first 2 sets, then defeating National University Lady Bulldogs in the last 3 sets. With this triumph, De La Salle wins their 12th overall championship and their first since Season 80.

The Lady Bulldogs had won the first two sets and were on the verge of forcing a Set 3 when De La Salle came alive and easily defeated them 25-15.  The Lady Spikers maintained their momentum in the fourth set, pushing away from a 10-8 count to build a sizable 20-13 advantage before winning the set 25-17 and bringing the match to a fifth set.  

Mars Alba, the Finals MVP, displayed her playmaking abilities. She directed the offense for De La Salle and had 16 outstanding sets in addition to three points. The balanced offense was headed by the rookie Overall MVP Angel Canino, who scored 19 points while contributing 12 spikes, six aces, and a block. Thea Gagate, meanwhile, contributed 17 points via 12 kills and 5 blocks. Fifi Sharma scored 11 points, while Shevana Laput added 12 more. With four and three points respectively, Maicah Larroza and Leiah Malaluan ignited the fourth and fifth sets. Despite Alyssa Solomon’s impressive 34 points, which included 31 out of 62 spikes and three aces, she did not receive any help from her teammates. Vange Alinsug only managed to score seven points, and Mhicaela Belen was only able to score 11 points on 10 of 40 attempts.