National University secured its fifth straight win at the expense of University of the Philippines, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, to stay unscathed in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs now hold a spotless 5-0 record atop the eight-team field. They will next face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday at the same venue, before last season’s Finals rematch against the UST Golden Tigresses to cap the first round.
“Happy naman siyempre, nakuha namin yung panalo. Pero siyempre yung situation nung second and third [set] magkaiba kasi. Naka-recover din kami doon sa run ng UP,” said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses.
He added, “Pero knowing NU naman, mga seniors na sila, so alam na rin naman nila yung gagawin nila.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the second and third frames, the Lady Bulldogs needed to deny the Fighting Maroons’ fightback attempts.
Down 20-23, UP’s Bienne Bansil and Kassy Doering launched three straight points to inch within one, only for Bansil to serve strong straight outside for the 25-23 escape of NU in the second.
Then in the third period, the Lady Bulldogs saw their 22-16 edge dissipate with Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Doering leading the Fighting Maroons’ comeback to level at 22.
But Alyssa Solomon, Celine Marsh, and Erin Pangilinan racked up three straight points on a crosscourt kill, down-the-line hit, and a block, respectively for the NU win in 94 minutes.
“Lagi ko lang naman sinasabi sa mga pinapasok ni Coach Sherwin — lalo na sa mga bata — na ilaro lang nila kung ano yung laro nila. Kasi minsan, masyado silang maraming iniisip. Siguro nga, dahil pressured or dahil dikit yung laban kanina,” said Belen, who had 17 points and seven receptions.
“Then yun lang, sinabi ko lang na kailangan lang nila i-enjoy kasi binigyan sila ng opportunity to play.”
Solomon, who declared for the 2025 Korean V-League (KOVO) Draft, added 16 points on 13-of-28 attacks and three blocks, while Vange Alinsug made 11 points and six digs.
The Fighting Maroons, on the other hand, saw their slump stretched to four games, dropping to 2-4 at seventh.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Doering, an American middle blocker, top-scored for UP with 11 points on eight spikes and three blocks. Meanwhile, Olango, who came from NU Nazareth School, contributed 10 points.
They missed Niña Ytang for the second straight game as she is still feeling under the weather.
UP will finish its first-round schedule next Sunday against Adamson at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
