Top-seeded National University sent University of Santo Tomas into a playoff match for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four after a gutsy five-set win, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9, to close its elimination round campaign on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the elimination round as the top seed with a 12-2 record. They will now focus on the fourth-seeded Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in their semifinals clash, with NU holding a twice-to-beat incentive.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses saw their four-game winning streak snapped, landing in a three-way tie with the De La Salle Lady Spikers and the Lady Tamaraws for the second to fourth spots at 9-5.
FEU secured the fourth seed due to an inferior set ratio compared to the other two teams and will face NU in the Final Four for the second straight season.
UST and La Salle will battle it out in the playoff for the second seed and the twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday, 2:00 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, marking the start of a virtual best-of-three series.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I’m very happy kasi nakita kong lumaban yung teammates ko kahit na ganon kapagod. Actually sobrang nakakapagod talaga yung game and siyempre gusto rin ng UST manalo pero yung teammates ko hindi ko nakitaan ng takot sa mga mata nila,” said NU’s two-time MVP Bella Belen, who tallied 26 points, 17 digs, and 13 receptions.
After the Golden Tigresses claimed the first set, the Lady Bulldogs quickly regrouped, opening the second and third sets with commanding leads of 8-2 and 8-1, respectively, to take a 2-1 set advantage.
NU then aimed to replicate its dominant play in the fourth, establishing an 8-4 lead, but UST fought back. Behind the efforts of Em Banagua, Marga Altea, Arlene Waje, and Maribeth Hilongo, the Golden Tigresses managed to grab a 19-17 lead.
Belen responded, lifting her team to a 21-20 advantage. However, she made two straight errors, and Regina Jurado contributed three consecutive points to push UST to a 25-22 win in the fourth set, forcing a deciding fifth.
Angge Poyos’ attack kept the Golden Tigresses in the game in the fifth, with UST trailing by just two at 7-9. But Belen rallied the Lady Bulldogs with a strong 6-2 finish. Erin Pangilinan started the surge with a through-the-block quick, followed by three straight points from Belen to put NU at match point, 14-8.
Though Hilongo managed to get one back for UST, Alyssa Solomon sealed the win for NU with a smart swipe off the blockers.
This victory marks NU’s fifth consecutive win over UST, dating back to the second round of Season 86.
“Kanina buti na lang lumabas yung lapses namin para alam na namin kung ano ang ia-adjust sa mga training namin and dapat alam na namin kung gaano kami dapat kabilis mag-adjust,” said Solomon, who finished with 23 points and six digs.
Vange Alinsug also contributed 19 points, while Camilla Lamina led the Lady Bulldogs with 31 excellent sets. Shaira Jardio was key in the win with 23 receptions and 21 digs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Jurado led the Golden Tigresses with a valiant effort, scoring 19 points, 12 digs, and seven receptions, while Poyos added 15 points and 11 receptions.
Hilongo finished with 12 points and 14 receptions, while middle blockers Altea and Banagua tallied 10 and nine points, respectively.
