UAAP: Canino's return is not enough as La Salle loses bonuses

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the return of Angel Canino, La Salle surrendered a two-game lead to the University of Santo Tomas ahead of their Final Four clash next week in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.

Canino returned to action after recovering from a cut on his right forearm and had 13 points – all from attacks – but it wasn't enough as La Salle were swept by UST in the elimination round with 22-25, 25-23, 25-16 , 25-15 defeat, which dragged the defending champions to third place, on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It will be the first time the Lady Spikers have been in a two-win situation since 2019, when they were dethroned by the Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure-led Tigresses in the Season 81 Final Four.

READ: UAAP: Angel Canino returns to action for La Salle

La Salle and UST competed in the playoff for second place, but the latter won the bonus and ended the former's “four-peat” bid.

The Ramil De Jesus-coached team maintained their lead from two last year and eliminated UST en route to winning the Season 85 championship after beating National University in the finals to win their 12th title overall.

The Lady Spikers spent two hours inside their dugout after the loss and declined interviews when they emerged after 11 p.m.

The defending champions committed 26 errors, with Shevana Laput leading the team with 26 points, saved by Canino. Thea Gagate was limited to seven points, making just one block on 17 attempts.

READ: UAAP: UST wins twice after repeating La Salle

With an 11-3 elimination record, La Salle has to kill the ghost of its past when it lost to twice-defeated UST in the Season 81 Final Four.

But the good news for the Lady Spikers is that the reigning Canine MVP is slowly getting her groove back after missing five games.

Canino was La Salle's scoring leader through the first eight games, averaging 16.3 points per game before the non-volleyball-related accident.