Alleiah Malaluan and the La Salle Lady Spikers reach the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals for the third time in four seasons.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Part of the first two La Salle-National University title series, Alleiah Malaluan banks on her experience as she leads the young Lady Spikers in the latest installment of their championship rivalry against the Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals.
Malaluan displayed an all-around game of nine points, 15 digs, and 10 excellent receptions as La Salle completed sweet revenge on last year’s tormentor’s University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 11-25, 25-21, 25-21, in the Final Four on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP: Pride and redemption fuel La Salle’s finals return
Alleiah Malaluan on facing NU in the finals for the third time. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UosUBSDGth
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 3, 2025
The Lady Spikers are back in the finals for the third time in four seasons against a familiar foes in the Lady Bulldogs.
“Maybe it’s the experience I got from those past seasons. Volleyball is evolving, the game has changed, too. Now, it really starts with your mindset and courage on the court because that’s where everything begins,” said Malaluan in Filipino.
“Once you’re calm and confident, everything else follows. That’s also what I want to pass on to them, so we can all stay steady together.”
The fourth-year spiker, part of La Salle title loss in 2022 and successful redemption tour in Season 85, was relieved to overcome a tough UST side.
READ: UAAP: La Salle Lady Spikers oust UST, set up Finals vs NU
But a much bigger challenge awaits when La Salle and NU clash anew in the championship round beginning Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
“The job’s not done yet. This is just the beginning. So in the coming days, we’ll train, study our game, and work even harder for the Finals,” she said.
Angel Canino, who has been teammates with Malaluan since high school. will utilize their familiarity in another shot at reclaiming the UAAP crown.
“My connection with Ate Alleiah has been a big help, especially since we’ve been together since high school. On the court, it really matters having someone you fully trust and feel confident with. We’ve been through a lot together, and our connection has always been there,” said Canino in Filipino.
READ: UAAP: La Salle ‘rewrites story’ with playoff win over UST
“Knowing how hard Ate Alleiah has worked, and the bond we have, we try to share that with the rest of the team, too. Whatever we’ve built since high school, we do our best to pass it on so the whole team stays united.”
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Malaluan is banking on that familiarity, too. But facing their biggest challenge against a stacked team led by Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, the Lady Spikers need to stay together and work harder as one unit.
“That’s what we draw strength from. The connection is there, but we know we still need to make it even stronger so that when the Finals come, we’re even more ready,” she said.
