National University gave head coach Sherwin Meneses a triumphant return to the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament, sweeping De La Salle University in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18, before 16,624 fans to open their title defense on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The back-to-back title-seeking Lady Bulldogs showed no signs of rust in their return to the Taraflex, displaying their trademark composure against every comeback attempt by the Lady Spikers.
The straight-set victory marked Meneses’ first UAAP win in eight years, solidifying his return to collegiate volleyball.
“Siyempre, nung una, excited talaga. Siyempre, La Salle yung makakalaban namin. Second, happy talaga ako kasi siyempre, three straight sets ka nanalo and siyempre yung mga players, talagang nagre-respond kapag kinakausap mo,” said Meneses.
“Siyempre, masaya, masaya ako sa first game ko sa pagbalik ko sa UAAP. Yung mga veteran players namin talagang nagtrabaho ngayon. Gustong-gusto nila talaga nilang manalo.”
It was La Salle’s first opening weekend loss since December 2, 2012, when they fell to the University of Santo Tomas in five sets, 22-25, 13-25, 25-12, 25-21, 9-15.
After two tightly-contested sets, the Lady Bulldogs leaned on their impenetrable net defense and powerful attacks, storming to a commanding 20-9 lead in the third frame.
Angel Canino momentarily halted NU’s momentum with a strong block on Erin Pangilinan. La Salle then caught a break as NU committed three crucial errors, sparking a 4-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 13-20.
The Lady Bulldogs remained composed, though, keeping the Lady Spikers at bay. Canino fired a cross-court hit to cut the deficit to six, 18-24.
Then any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Amie Provido committed a costly service error, sealing the win for NU.
“Siyempre, happy ako na nanalo kami. Five sets or three sets, parehas lang naman,” added Meneses. “Pero siyempre, ‘yung three sets, medyo mahirap gawin sa La Salle, kaya happy kami na nakuha namin siya in straight sets.”
Bella Belen led NU’s charge with 14 points on 10 attacks, three aces, and one kill block, while also contributing six excellent receptions.
Alyssa Solomon added 13 points, with 12 coming from attacks, in the one-hour and 30-minute encounter.
Alexa Mata, who started over Sheena Toring and Minierva Maaya, had a solid outing in the middle with 10 points, including two blocks. Vange Alinsug and Pangilinan chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.
Lams Lamina orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets and added eight digs.
Meanwhile, Shaira Jardio anchored the floor defense with 11 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
The Lady Bulldogs controlled most of the opening set, but Canino and Shevannah Laput led a late La Salle rally, stringing together a 5-0 run to tie the score at 23-all.
Just when momentum seemed to shift, Toring delivered a clutch quick attack to put NU at set point. Laput, who had been steady for La Salle, miscalculated an attack, allowing NU to escape with the first set.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both teams locked in a tight battle. NU held a slim 20-19 lead before Solomon took charge, capitalizing on a pair of errors from Alleiah Malaluan to ignite a 4-0 run that widened the gap to 24-20.
Alinsug then sealed the set with a precise down-the-line attack following a rare Solomon error, pushing the Lady Bulldogs one step closer to victory.
NU will next face Ateneo de Manila University, which is coming off a four-set loss to Adamson University, on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Laput was the lone bright spot for the Lady Spikers, finishing with 18 points — all from attacks.
Canino, on the other hand, struggled to find her rhythm, converting just seven of her 38 attempts as La Salle struggled against NU’s stifling defense.
The Lady Spikers will look to bounce back when they take on the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday at 5:00 PM, also at Filoil.
