Defending champion National University made quick work of winless University of the East, cruising to a commanding 25-12, 25-11, 25-20 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Bulldogs extended their unbeaten run to 4-0, remaining the only undefeated team in the eight-team competition.
NU head coach Sherwin Meneses praised his squad for effectively neutralizing Khy Cepada, who was limited to just seven points on a poor 5-of-39 spiking clip.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“‘Yung opportunity na mai-stop si Cepada nga naging maganda, especially si Erin Pangilinan nga ‘yung katapat niya. Overall naman, teamwork naman, wala namang special na ginawa. ‘Yung area lang namin ‘yung binabantayan namin,” said Meneses.
Before this match, Cepada was ranked as the league’s third-best scorer.
After struggling in the first two sets — where they managed just 12 and 11 points, respectively — the Lady Warriors showed more fight in the third, even taking a 13-11 lead.
However, NU’s dynamic duo of Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug proved too much to handle, spearheading a 14-7 finishing run to wrap up the match in just 77 minutes.
“Kahit sinong kalaban namin, kailangan ‘yung effort na binibigay namin is 100 percent pa rin. Kumbaga, hindi dapat kami namimili ng kalaban, and I’m very happy kasi naging team effort po ito — hindi lang isa ‘yung nagtrabaho para maipanalo,” said two-time MVP Belen, who led the way with 18 points built on 14-of-25 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
She also tallied eight digs and six receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Alinsug contributed 10 points and 10 digs, while Pangilinan added eight points.
The Lady Bulldogs dominated the attacking department, scoring 45 points off spikes while holding the Lady Warriors to just 16.
NU heads into an extended break before facing the University of the Philippines on March 9 at the same venue.
Van Bangayan, who entered the match as the league’s 11th-best scorer, was also limited to just seven points as UE dropped to 0-4, remaining at the bottom of the standings.
The Lady Warriors will try to bounce back against Far Eastern University on Wednesday, also at the MOA Arena.
