NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon during a win over UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball first round. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–National University completed a sweep of the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs carved up a seventh straight win, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9, snapping University of Santo Tomas’ five-game winning run in the rematch of last year’s finalists.
The usual contributors for NU came up big time with Alyssa Solomon leading 24 points from 21 attacks and three blocks and Bella Belen delivering 19 points out of 14 kills, three aces and a block.
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball – Adamson vs UP, NU vs UST
“Today’s win wasn’t easy because I saw how UST really studied our every move and gave their best in the game,” Solomon said. “But we’re very happy that we fought with heart until the end.”
“We always remind ourselves that as long as the game isn’t over, we still have a chance,” Belen added. “UST took two sets, and it wasn’t easy for us because they really put up a fight. But I’m thankful for my teammates because they never gave up until the very end.”
NU Lady Bulldogs’ Vange Alinsug during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game against UST Golden Tigresses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Vange Alinsug tallied 17 points apart from 10 excellent digs, Erin Pangilinan finished with 12 points as Lams Lamina distributed the ball with 33 excellent sets. Shaira Jardio did her job on the defense with 20 excellent digs and 25 excellent receptions.
“We’re really happy because we got to experience that kind of battle. UST didn’t back down, so I’m glad we managed to recover from being down 2-1,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.
“Hopefully, we can polish our lapses moving forward. I’m happy that we got the win,” Meneses added after the Bulldogs committed 36 errors.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen eyes last title shot with NU Lady Bulldogs
UST had its moments especially with a 2-1 advantage before NU bared its teeth again in the fourth frame.
And the Lady Bulldogs carried that killer instinct until the all-important final frame with a crucial 4-1 run to open the decider. NU capitalized UST fielding its bench down the stretch as Belen blocked Kyla Cordora followed by a Cassie Carballo double contact mishap, 11-5.
Alinsug pushed her crew to match point, Reg Jurado retaliated before Solomon ended the match.
Jurado paced the Tigresses with 16 points, Angge Poyos contributed 13 points as Carballo delivered 10 points apart from 27 excellent sets as UST capped round one with a 5-2 record.
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NU aims to keep the streak alive battling Santo Tomas again on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena while the Tigresses will have a short turnaround time and will face Adamson on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
