National University cruised past a depleted Ateneo de Manila University, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15, to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Bulldogs overcame a strong challenge in the opening set from a Blue Eagles squad struggling with season-ending injuries to Zel Tsunashima (broken left shin) and JLo Delos Santos (torn left ACL).
After a tight first frame, NU regrouped and took full control in the next two sets, securing a clean 2-0 record.
With the victory, NU extended its dominance over Ateneo, claiming its seventh consecutive win against the Blue Eagles — a streak that began with a four-set triumph on May 7, 2022, in Season 84.
Ateneo managed to cut a five-point deficit to 11-9 in the third set, but NU’s trio of Bella Belen, Vange Alinsug, and Chamy Maaya responded with a commanding 7-1 surge to build an 18-10 advantage.
Rookie Celine Marsh scored twice before Maaya delivered a crucial block to seal the Lady Bulldogs’ second straight win, keeping Ateneo winless.
NU wasted no time asserting itself in the second set, racing to a 14-6 lead. This time, the Lady Bulldogs maintained their grip, capitalizing on an attack error from Jihan Chuatico and a powerful crosscourt hit from Alyssa Solomon to grab a 2-0 set advantage.
The Blue Eagles showed resilience in the opening frame, rallying from an 11-16 deficit to pull within 23-22. However, two consecutive off-the-block kills from Alinsug secured NU’s first-set win.
Now eyeing a third straight victory, NU faces Far Eastern University in a rematch of last season’s Final Four pairing on Sunday, February 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, Ateneo looks to enter the win column when it battles Katipunan neighbor University of the Philippines on the same day and venue.
