National University overcame a tough first set before cruising past Ateneo de Manila University, 25-19, 25-16, 25-15, to bounce back in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles built a late 19-17 lead in the opening set, but the Lady Bulldogs responded with a strong surge. Sam Cantada’s powerful serves, coupled with Alexa Mata’s net defense and Ateneo errors, sparked an eight-point unanswered run that secured NU the first set, 25-19.
From there, it was all NU as it dominated to close out the match in just 90 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“That’s the goal. Everybody’s goal is to bounce back and get up after you fall. I’m very happy because everybody gets to perform well today,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.
The win marked a dominant rebound for the Lady Bulldogs, improving their record to 7-3 and moving into solo second place, ahead of an idle Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. NU had come off a tough five-set loss to FEU, where they fell short of completing a reverse sweep.
NU aims to secure back-to-back wins when they face Adamson University on Easter Sunday at the same venue.
“Since galing po kami sa talo, ang mindset lang po talaga namin ay mag bounce back and play as one as a team. Very happy kasi ‘yung mga bata and kami also ay nageenjoy sa ginagawa namin at ang iniisip lang namin ay one point at a time and one game at a time,” said two-time UAAP Best Setter Camilla Lamina, who recorded 11 excellent sets and three points in just two sets of action.
Arah Panique led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points and five digs, while Cantada contributed 10 points, including five aces, four spikes, and a block, along with 12 receptions and six digs.
Vange Alinsug and Chams Maaya added six points each, while Shaira Jardio shone with 11-of-15 excellent digs and 8-of-11 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo, now out of Final Four contention at 1-9, will face the University of the Philippines next on April 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Geezel Tsunashima paced the Blue Eagles with nine points, while middle blockers Dona De Leon and Jihan Chuatico added eight and seven points, respectively.
