Alyssa Solomon erupted for 30 points as National University rediscovered its winning form, overcoming a gritty challenge from Far Eastern University with a hard-fought 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs were coming off a heartbreaking 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 12-15 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons. But they bounced back strong to tighten their hold on the top spot with a 9-1 record — two and a half games ahead of the second-place De La Salle Lady Spikers, who stand at 6-3.
With their hopes of a straight Finals berth now out of reach, NU is shifting its focus to securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Siyempre, thankful talaga kami kasi nakarecover kami from last game. Yun naman yung pinaka-importante palagi, maka-recover kami sa loss namin, maka-move on so start ulit. Start ulit para makakuha ng twice-to-beat,” said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Setter Camilla Lamina orchestrated a crucial combination play late in the third set, drawing FEU’s blockers early and setting up a Vange Alinsug off-the-block hit to bring NU to set point. Moments later, Bella Belen sealed the frame, 26-24, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
Riding the momentum of that tight win, the defending champions stormed ahead in the fourth, with Solomon leading the charge to establish a commanding 19-10 advantage.
FEU attempted a comeback, trimming the deficit to 17-20, but NU maintained its composure. The Lady Bulldogs closed out the match with a 5-1 finishing kick to prevent another five-set duel — unlike their first-round meeting, which NU narrowly won, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 26-23, 15-8.
Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, Belen, and Alinsug delivered the final five points to wrap up the victory after two hours and 25 minutes.
“Thankful ako sa nangyari sa UP game namin kasi para sa akin, nakita ko siya as wake-up call na dapat di kami maging complacent talaga kahit number one kami,” admitted Solomon, who tallied 26 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
“After ng game na yon, nag-move forward agad kami at trinabaho namin kung ano yung mga dapat trabahuin. And thankful naman kami kasi marami kaming lessons na nakuha sa game na yun.”
Two-time MVP Belen contributed a triple-double of 18 points, 14 digs, and 13 receptions, while Alinsug chipped in 13 points.
Lamina shone as the playmaker with 30 excellent sets, while libero Shaira Jardio anchored the floor defense with 27 excellent digs and 12 receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NU aims to extend its newfound momentum when it takes on Adamson University next Sunday at the Big Dome, while FEU will look to rebound against the University of the Philippines on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws dropped to solo third at 6-4, with the fourth-running UST Golden Tigresses close behind at 5-4.
FEU leaned on Congolese opposite hitter Faida Bakanke, who finished with 21 points, while middle blockers Jean Asis and Jazlyn Ellarina added 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Outside spikers Gerzel Petallo and Chenie Tagaod had quiet offensive outings with nine and eight points, respectively, but made their presence felt on defense. Petallo recorded 11 digs and 10 receptions, while Tagaod collected 14 receptions and 10 digs.
