National University closed in on the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball crown after dominating University of Santo Tomas in Game 1, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, Saturday in front of a 20,955 yellow and blue-clad fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs – who gave up the throne to De La Salle last year after winning it in Season 84 – will look to reclaim the title on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
If the Golden Tigresses force a do-or-die Game 3, it will be on May 18, still at the bayside Pasay venue.
“Masayang masaya kasi nauna na kami sa Game 1. Nag-work yung game plan. Kahit papaano, na-apply namin, so masayang masaya,” said head coach Norman Miguel.
NU had a double celebration as its men’s team is one win away from a first four-peat in 13 years with a 25-17, 26-24, 25-19 conquest of UST.
Ateneo was the last school that became double champions in 2015.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The Golden Tigresses took a big hit in the second set with the game tied at 11 when top gunner Angge Poyos went down with an injured right ankle on a block play.
She had on teammate Em Banagua’s foot and was not able to return.
From that point on, the Lady Bulldogs’ troika of Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, and Bella Belen pounded UST, capped by Sheena Toring’s slide attack for the 2-0 set lead, 25-20.
Back-to-back errors from NU put some life to the Golden Tigresses in the third, inching within two, 19-21.
However, Toring and Alinsug powered the Lady Bulldogs in crunch time for the victory in one hour and 54 minutes.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Siguro for Game 2, hindi kami dapat makampante – kailangan isipin namin, siyempre UST yan, palaban yung team na yan. Kailangan yung mindset namin is tapusin na namin sa Game 2. Kailangan hindi na namin paabutin ng do-or-die pa,” said Season 84 MVP Belen.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Camilla Lamina tossed 17 excellent sets for the Lady Bulldogs, as they saw four players score at least 10 points. Solomon led the way with 17 on 14 attacks and three blocks with eight digs.
Belen added 13 points and eight digs, while Alinsug got 12 points and six receptions. Toring had 10 points on 6-of-7 kills including three blocks and one ace.
NU tallied seven blocks against UST’s one.
On the other hand, Jonna Perdido carried the fight for UST with 17 points and nine excellent receptions while Regina Jurado logged 10 points.
