DLSU draws lessons from Season 76 heartbreak after perfect elims run

De La Salle University Lady Spikers may be unbeaten heading into the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Finals, but they are keeping their focus grounded on lessons from the past.

After completing a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round, capped by a five-set win over National University Lady Bulldogs, La Salle secured an outright berth in the championship series and the luxury of extended preparation time.

For Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo, however, the achievement carries a familiar reminder — one the team refuses to ignore.

“Siguro yung nightmare namin nung Season 76, talagang ayaw na namin maulit,” said Orcullo in a post-game presser. “Siguro itong nangyari ngayon na nag-waiting kami for championship, siguro talagang pagtatrabahuhan namin nang husto.”

In Season 76, the Lady Spikers also swept the eliminations but fell short in the Finals against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, a result that continues to serve as a cautionary tale for the current squad.

With nearly two weeks before the Finals series begin, Orcullo stressed that maintaining focus will be critical, especially with the risk of losing rhythm during the long layoff.

“Kumbaga, ‘yung pokus talaga hindi namin aalisin, kung ano ‘yung inumpisahan namin, kung ano ‘yung goal namin, doon kami. Hindi kami bibitaw bawat isa kung ano ‘yung goal ng coach, goal ng players doon kami,” he said. “Kung paano namin binuo ito, kung paano namin inumpisahan, ganoon din namin tatapusin.”

Rather than easing up after a dominant elimination round, La Salle intends to raise its level of preparation as it eyes a different ending this time.

“Yun din naman yung sinabi namin sa kanila, kung ito masisweep natin, kailangan din natin magtrabaho pa ng triple effort, hindi tayo puwedeng mag-relax dahil lang nasweep na natin, magpapa-easy-easy na tayo. Kung ano yung training natin na ginagawa, siguro, titriplehin natin yung effort na gagawin,” Orcullo said.

As the Lady Spikers await their Finals opponent, the message within the camp is clear: a perfect record means little without a championship — a lesson learned from Season 76 that continues to shape their approach moving forward. (AC)

The post DLSU draws lessons from Season 76 heartbreak after perfect elims run first appeared on Fastbreak.

Irah Jaboneta declares for PVL after completing UAAP career

University of the Philippines standout Irah Jaboneta is set to take the next step in her volleyball career, announcing her intention to enter the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft following the Fighting Maroons’ exit from the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Jaboneta made her decision after UP’s four-set loss to University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in their final elimination round game, bringing to a close her five-year collegiate stint.

“It’s time to take the next step na talaga and magpa-draft,” Jaboneta said in a post-game presser. “Tanda na rin ‘eh. It’s time for the kids and the remaining players to show what they’ve got.”

“Kasi kumbaga, ako, I’ve served my purpose na talaga for UP. And sana talaga nakita nila at na-appreciate nila kasi every game, hindi naman kaming lahat ng players, and alam ko kaming tatlo every game talaga binubuhos namin kung ano kaya namin,” she added.

While Jaboneta has committed to turning professional, UP team captain Joan Monares has yet to finalize her plans as she continues to recover from a back injury that sidelined her for most of the season.

“Ako, magbe-beach muna ako. Titingnan ko kung saan ako dadalhin ng hangin,” Monares said.

Both veterans played key roles in UP’s rebuilding years, carrying leadership responsibilities through multiple transitions under five different head coaches.

UP finished sixth in Season 88 with a 5-9 record, mirroring its placement in Season 87, as the program continues its push toward returning to Final Four contention. (AC)

The post Irah Jaboneta declares for PVL after completing UAAP career first appeared on Fastbreak.

NU’s Arah Panique eager to bounce back after costly error vs DLSU

Arah Panique is quickly shifting from heartbreak to resolve, using National University’s narrow loss as motivation ahead of a pivotal matchup that could define the Lady Bulldogs’ playoff path in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Looking ahead, Panique and NU now brace for a crucial showdown against University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where a victory would secure the second seed and a valuable stepladder semifinal advantage.

“Sobrang eager talaga kasi kayang-kaya namin na mag-dominate at iwasan yung mga unforced errors namin. Magsisimula lahat ‘yon sa training namin,” Panique said in an interview with the media.

“Siguro paghuhugutan namin yung pagkatalo ngayon, lalo na’t wala na kaming twice-to-beat. Sa stepladder, kailangan naming maipanalo lahat para hindi na kami mahirapan ulit,” she added.

The determination comes in the aftermath of a painful five-set defeat to De La Salle University Lady Spikers, where NU came within a point of forcing a different outcome.

At 14-all in the deciding set, a net touch violation by Panique—confirmed after a video challenge—handed La Salle the winning point, completing the Lady Spikers’ elimination-round sweep and outright finals seat.

“Yes po. Noong nangyari ‘yon, parang na-blame ko yung sarili ko kasi sayang nga talaga. Kaya naman namin maipanalo sana ‘yon. Sa isang pagkakamali nga lang… Sayang kasi nga nag-net touch talaga ako doon, pero hindi ko in-expect na mangyayari ‘yon kasi gigil din akong makuha yung point na ‘yon. Sayang talaga,” she said.

“For me, complicated siya kasi referee yung nag-call, kaso nag-challenge yung La Salle. Hindi ko ma-identify if mali siya [na call] or tama. Wala na ako maisip kanina, gusto ko lang manalo kanina,” she added.

Now facing a tougher road without a twice-to-beat advantage, the Lady Bulldogs aim to channel the lessons from their loss into a stronger push as the playoffs approach. (AC)

The post NU’s Arah Panique eager to bounce back after costly error vs DLSU first appeared on Fastbreak.

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