National University pushed Ateneo de Manila University to the brink of elimination with a 25-22, 25-16, 25-15 victory in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 9-2 with their fourth straight win, maintaining third place behind the University of Santo Tomas (10-1) and De La Salle University (9-1) in the race for the two twice-to-beat incentives.
“Happy ako sa nagiging performance ng team namin kasi nakikita namin na pataas kami and nakikita namiin yung goal pagdating sa performance na hindi dapat kami nagiging complacent at lagi dapat kaming may pinanghuhugutan para makuha yung panalo,” said NU outside spiker Alyssa Solomon, who had 23 points on 19-of-28 attacks and four aces.
After a slow start where the Blue Eagles led 9-5, the Lady Bulldogs turned the momentum around to secure a 25-22 first set win and never looked back, finishing the game in straight sets.
Vange Alinsug contributed 15 points for NU, which cruised to victory in 90 minutes despite Bella Belen being limited to just two points.
“I think yung natutunan namin from first round loss sa La Salle ay yung grit namin, doon talaga makikita kung gaano talaga namin kagusto manalo and kailangan talaga mailabas yung puso namin sa game” said team captain Erin Pangilinan as the Lady Bulldogs shift their focus to modern-day rival La Salle, which they will face on Sunday.
The Blue Eagles’ second straight loss dropped them to 3-8, remaining in fifth place but distant from the 6-4 Far Eastern University.
No Ateneo player reached double figures as AC Miner managed only nine points while Lyann De Guzman and Yvana Sulit delivered eight points each.
Ateneo will kick off the women’s action on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the University of the East.
