National University primed itself for a much-anticipated Finals rematch with De La Salle after dismantling Ateneo, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
With its second straight win, the Lady Bulldogs improved to 5-1 to hold solo second place, just behind the undefeated Lady Spikers.
A big test awaits NU as it faces La Salle to close out the first round on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Lady Bulldogs retained the championship last year in Bella Belen’s swan song after sweeping the Lady Spikers in the Finals.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“We’re doing our best every game and we’re happy because everybody can play well whenever we need them… We cannot focus so much on individual skills, we have to work together talaga,” said coach Regine Diego, who will face her former college mentor Ramil de Jesus for the first time in the UAAP. “I’m happy and lucky to have these girls with me who are very capable and supportive of each other.”
The Lady Bulldogs pulled away from the Blue Eagles with a 10-3 finishing run, turning a slim 15-12 lead into a 25-15 clincher.
Rookie Sam Cantada, who missed the last game to rest a right shin injury she sustained on February 28, entered as a second-set substitute and sealed the match with a kill for the win in one hour and 28 minutes.
“Kilala ko ang teammates ko kung gaano namin gusto manalo, hindi lang sa championship, kumbaga from the start talaga kasi doon naman magsisimula ang lahat. Ilaban lang talaga namin nang ilaban,” said captain and last season’s co-Finals MVP Vange Alinsug, who contributed 18 points on 14 spikes, three blocks, and an ace.
Libero Shaira Jardio, currently the league’s top receiver who shared the Finals MVP honors with Alinsug last year, collected 11 digs and five receptions.
Arah Panique added 10 points, while Cantada finished with six points and seven excellent receptions.
Alexa Mata also made her presence felt across different departments, tallying eight points off three attacks, three blocks, and two aces.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Ateneo, which dropped to 0-6, will try to end the first round with a win against fellow winless squad University of the East on Saturday.
Rookies Ana Hermosura and Dona de Leon led the Blue Eagles with seven points apiece.
