National University quickly defeated University of the East, 25-5, 25-15, 25-13, to book its Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs, who won their fourth straight game, hiked their record to solo second at 9-3, while keeping the Lady Warriors winless in 12 outings.
NU dominated all scoring departments, 34-17 in spikes, 13-1 in service, and 9-1 in blocks.
“We’re very happy lang po na na-apply namin yung napagtraining-an namin and lalo na po yung sa service which is dapat hindi na kami masyado mag-error,” said Lady Bulldog Mhicaela Belen, who had six of their 13 aces.
NU needed no time to wax hot, showing no mercy in the opening set by scoring the first nine points for a whopping 25-5 count in just 19 minutes.
But the Lady Warriors showed some fight in the third set, trailing by just a point, 10-9 before the Lady Bulldogs unleashed nine unanswered points to pull away and finish the game in just one hour and 19 minutes.
Belen was solid for NU with 21 points on 13 attacks, six aces, and two blocks to go with six excellent receptions.
Everyone in the 14-man lineup of the Lady Bulldogs played with all scoring except libero Jen Nierva and Shaira Jardio as well as Joyme Cagande.
Van Bangayan had seven points for the Lady Warriors while Ja Lana made five points and nine excellent receptions. KC Cepada was held to just two points.
Up next for NU is a crucial showdown with University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday while UE will meet University of the Philippines later that day as well.
