Manila: De La Salle University moved closer to the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball Finals after beating University of the East, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15, Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. The Lady Spikers stayed perfect at 13-0, needing one more win to duplicate their elimination-round sweep since Season 76 (2014) and trigger a stepladder format.

According to Philippines News Agency, La Salle seeks to complete the sweep on April 19 when it faces defending champion National University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. The Lady Spikers previously beat the Lady Bulldogs, 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, last March 15 at the same Pasay venue.

'Maybe, the pressure won't go away when it comes to us. Of course, there's the pressure to win, but coach always reminds us that it's just a score and a number. You still have to focus on what's in front of you, which is NU now, and one game at a time. Hopefully, we can still show a good performance in the game against NU," commented La Salle assistant coach Gian de Jesus after the one-hour and 24-minute match.

Angel Anne Canino led the Lady Spikers with 12 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions. 'That's what the coaches are instilling in us-one game at a time. We don't worry about this streak that we have and the 13-0; we worry about how we perform, and if we perform, of what we had done in training. Being disciplined in staying true to the system the coaches have taught us,' said skipper Shevana Maria Nicola, who also finished with 12 points, including 10 attacks.

Katrina del Castillo contributed nine points on five blocks and four attacks, while Amie Provido had eight points on six attacks and two blocks. Mary Shane Reterta added five points, seven excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions, while Maria Michaela Santos scored five points.

KC Cepada and Nessa Karzal Bangayan led the Lady Warriors with 13 and 10 points, respectively. However, UE remained winless through 13 games, extending their losing streak to 27 consecutive matches and moving closer to a second straight winless campaign. UE will face Ateneo de Manila University on April 18, at the same UST venue.

In the men's division, Adamson University ended a five-game slump following a 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23 victory over University of the Philippines. Adamson, UP, and UE are tied for sixth place with similar 3-10 records.