NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen and Alexa Mata during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament game. –UAAP PHOTO
National University continued to wax hot in its title-defense bid after notching a fourth consecutive win in as many games in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs manhandled winless University of the East, 25-12, 25-11, 25-20, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena as captain Bella Belen led the way with 18 points from 14 kills, three blocks and an ace to keep NU’s record unblemished.
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LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball March 1 – UST vs Adamson, NU vs UE
“For me, no matter who our opponent is, we always need to give 100 percent effort. We shouldn’t pick and choose who to go all out against,” Belen said. “I’m very happy because this was truly a team effort.”
“It wasn’t just one person who worked for the win, and that’s exactly what we practice in training—whoever comes in, the team’s movement on the court should stay the same,” she added, as coach Sherwin Meneses was able to utilize most of his players.
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Vange Alinsug finished with 10 attack points apart from 10 excellent digs as Lams Lamina tossed 12 excellent sets.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen works her service magic again for NU Lady Bulldogs
There was a stark contrast in the output of the two schools with the defending champions putting up a 45-16 advantage in attacks, 19-6 in sets and 42-20 in digs.
Although the Lady Bulldogs ran away in the first two sets, the Lady Warriors tried to extend the game and even led in the third frame, 11-13, before NU regained its footing as Alinsug nailed two cross-court hits and a combination hit, 19-15.
A 3-1 run put NU to a 22-17 advantage, then Khy Cepada responded with a kill before being blocked by Erin Pangilinan. Aishat Bello launched an attack that went long as another error by Cepada sent the Lady Bulldogs to match point.
Alyssa Solomon had her own attack mishap before Alexa Mata finally landed a quick hit.
No Lady Warrior reached twin digits that put them in a 0-4 hole.
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NU will have some break before having a shot to extend its winning streak opposite Adamson on March 12, still in the Pasay City venue while the Warriors aim to end the string of bad luck battling Far Eastern U on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
