After 4 years, La Salle Zobel reclaims UAAP high school championship from NU

“We can’t THANK YOU enough, Lord. To God Be The Glory.” (Photo: @tina_salak/Instagram)

The De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Spikers celebrate their victory winning a five-set game against National University (NU) during Game 2 of the best-of-three championship series for the high school division of University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 that took place last Saturday, December 8 at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The sets ended 25-21, 25-23, 15-25, 16-25, 15-8 as Zobel walks away with their 10th trophy in history, also ending NU’s four-year reign.

Angel Canino led her team with 21 points, 19 attacks, and two blocks, guided by teammate Alleiah Malaluan, who had 15 points and 15 exceptional receptions.

Their opponents Faith Nisperos, Jimy Jean Jamili, and Erin May Pangilinan fought back especially during the third and fourth set with a total of 21 points, 16 points, and 14 points respectively for the entire game, but ultimately, season Most Valuable Player (MVP) and first best outside spike Canino and second best outside spiker Malaluan won it for their team. 

After the victory, La Salle Zobel head coach Tina Salak shared in Filipino that she “wants to give appreciation to all of the hard work of the kids,” saying, “If it wasn’t for them, for their help, for their sacrifice, we couldn’t have done this.” The former Far Eastern University (FEU) setter from the 90s also shared that she is “extremely happy” and “extremely overwhelmed that “the entire La Salle Zobel community supports the program.”

Second-placers NU did not go home empty-handed, as playmaker Camille Lamina was awarded as best setter during the ceremony that took place after the final match of the season. Rounding up the list of awardees were May Ann Nique and Ayesha Juegos from Adamson for first best middle blocker and best opposite spiker, Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Alexis Miner as second best middle blocker, and University of Santo Tomas defense specialist Det Pepito awarded best libero.