National University moved to the brink of sweeping the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament first round after a commanding 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 victory over Adamson University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Bulldogs now hold a 6-0 record, with their Season 86 finals nemesis, University of Santo Tomas, being the last team standing in their path to a first-round sweep.
The two squads will collide on Sunday at 5:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I think mag-iimprove pa naman yung performance ng NU going to the second round and sa Sunday [na last game ng first round]. Yung about sa Adamson naman, siyempre masaya ako para sa kanila kasi syempre, may mga talagang blue chips na dumadating na players sa Adamson,” said Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses, after facing his alma mater for the first time.
“Kasi number one, pinaka-mahirap talaga is mag-recruit talaga. Hopefully, yung mga young players nila talagang mag-improve pa lalo.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
A former setter for Adamson, Meneses previously coached the Lady Falcons from UAAP Season 72 to 76 (2012 to 2016).
Adamson was poised to take the second set after building a 20-16 advantage, but NU showed its championship poise. Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug spearheaded a comeback to steal the frame, 25-23.
In the third set, the defending champions pulled away late, with two-time MVP Bella Belen joining forces with Alinsug and Solomon for a 7-1 finishing run that sealed the win in just 86 minutes.
“Magandang laban siya sa amin kasi alam din kasi namin na ang Adamson, hindi rin sila magpapatalo lang nang wala lang. So kami, dapat laban lang kami hanggang matapos lahat ng sets,” said Alinsug, who contributed 12 points and four excellent receptions.
Solomon led all scorers with 22 points built on 15 spikes, four blocks, and three aces, while Belen added nine points and 12 digs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson’s struggles continued as they suffered their third consecutive loss. They fell to a 2-4 record, landing in a tie for fifth place with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Adamson and UP, both eager to close the round with a win, will face off on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
Shaina Nitura, the league’s second-leading scorer before this match, was limited to a season-low 13 points on an inefficient 9-of-49 spiking clip. She also tallied 15 receptions and eight digs.
Nigeria’s Frances Mordi also scored 13 points in the loss.
