National University flexed its championship poise by overcoming the gallant stand of Far Eastern University, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8, to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was the trio of Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, and Vange Alinsug who lifted the Lady Bulldogs to the 3-0 record at solo first, creating havoc on all fronts.
Solomon, the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker out of Laguna, tallied 23 points on 19 attacks and four blocks, while two-time MVP Belen got 21 points on 13 spikes, a season-best seven aces, and a block to go with 12 digs.
Alinsug, meanwhile, made 19 points and 15 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Bulldogs were pushed to the limit this season after winning their first two matches via straight sets.
“For me, expected ko naman talaga yung FEU na talagang contender din sila ngayong taon, ready lang kami sa lahat ng situation lamang kami or hindi. Yung composure dapat laging nandiyan kasi maraming teams na talagang gustong-gusto talunin yung NU,” said first year NU head coach Sherwin Meneses.
After a 3-3 start in the decider, the Lady Bulldogs just dominated the game as seniors Solomon, Belen, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring all delivered in their 12-5 finisher that also saw Alinsug and Arah Panique contributing for the win in two hours and 38 minutes.
NU was a point away from taking the third stanza, 24-23, but Alyzza Devosora came clutch with a crosscourt hit to tie the match followed by an Alexa Mata error that gave the Lady Tamaraws the 25-24 edge.
Then Faida Bakanke denied Bella Belen at the net to give FEU the third frame, 26-24, and a 2-1 set advantage.
FEU clawed back from a 20-23 deficit in the fourth and trailed just 23-24 but with an opportunity to extend the set, Bakanke’s attack went out that forced the decider.
“Nung fourth set, sinabi namin sa isa’t isa na huwag natin hayaan masayang yung pinagtrabahuhan natin nung mga nakaraang week kasi talagang pinaghandaan natin yung FEU. Huwag natin bitawan agad,” said Solomon, who willed the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth to extend the match.
NU seeks a fourth straight win on Saturday in a bout against the winless University of the East at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Tamaraws, on the other hand, absorbed their second straight loss, after losing a stunner against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in four sets last time out for a 1-2 record at joint-sixth with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Middle blocker Jean Asis carried FEU’s fight with 20 big points on 16-of-31 spikes along with three blocks and an ace.
Congolese opposite hitter Bakanke added 12 points while Jazlyn Ellarina, a transferee from NU, had 11 points.
FEU looks to regain its winning form next Sunday against Ateneo de Manila University, also at MOA Arena.
