HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament rolls along with two character tests for two contenders at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, March 29.

La Salle (8-0) vs FEU (4-4)

UAAP | STATS:

Angel Canino, Jolina dela Cruz, and Thea Gagate lead La Salle's sweep over FEU!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/Wan69u99w0
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | FINAL:

The La Salle Lady Spikers (9-0) move to the cusp of a Final Four berth after a tight sweep of the FEU Lady Tamaraws (4-5), 30-28, 25-12, 28-26!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/g2ebW3gFa2
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | WATCH:

La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo, Jyne Soreño, and Angel Canino share their thoughts following a sweep of FEU.#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/tVzuAJdafK
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | SET 3:

Dela Cruz crosscourt kill!

25-all.#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 2:

La Salle goes back to its dominant ways, firing up a 17-3 finishing kick to rout FEU, 25-12!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 1:

Canino cleans up with two emphatic kills as La Salle escapes FEU's furious start in the opener, 30-28!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | SET 1:

Back-to-back Chen Tagaod points! But FEU blows it on a rotation error.

26-all.#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | SET 1:

Thea Gagate quick attack, Mars Alba ace!

24-23, FEU.#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | SET 1:

FEU gets off a 5-0 start over La Salle, forcing coach RDJ to call an early timeout!

The Lady Spikers have recovered well with 5-1 run to get within one, 5-6.#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | LOOK:

It looks like La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus is back for good as he mentors his second straight Lady Spikers game.#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/4uNAF4KSGP
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

The undefeated La Salle Lady Spikers look to knock on the Final Four door this early when they take on the feisty FEU Lady Tamaraws at 2 pm for a shot to clinch at least a fourth-seed playoff.

Bannered by the all-around prowess of Angel Canino, Jolina dela Cruz, and Fifi Sharma, among many other standouts, La Salle is raring to do even better down the season stretch as their legendary coach Ramil de Jesus returns to the sidelines.

A volleyball icon also leads the other side, as De Jesus’ former national team setter Tina Salak continues to fire up her young band of fighters like Tin Ubaldo, Jovy Fernandez, and Jean Asis, and teach them not be intimidated by any foe.

UST (5-3) vs UE (0-8)

UAAP | STATS:

Eya Laure and Det Pepito lead UST's convincing win over UE!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/pDsMz5xWkY
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 2:

UST continues its blowout of UE for a two-set lead, 25-16!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 29, 2023

The UST Golden Tigresses aim to improve their Final Four positioning at 12 pm when they take on the winless UE Lady Warriors.

Coming off a stinging loss against fellow contender Adamson, team leaders like Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez are expected to instill a sense of urgency to the young guns like Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo as the season moves to its latter half.

Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors are all but out of contention anew, and the likes of Van Bangayan and KC Cepada can just continue honing their craft, possibly paving the way for another stunning turnaround like their 32-30 first-set win over UST last time.