Bella Belen sustained her stellar all-around games as National University put up a masterful 25-14, 25-14, 25-12 win over University of the East to move closer to securing a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
“Hindi lang po yung atake ang laging iniisip ko, iniisip ko kung ano pa yung kaya kong i-contribute sa team. As long as kaya ko pong gawin yung task like sa receive at dig, ibibigay ko yung effort ko,” said Belen, who had a triple-double in the rout with 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and 10 digs to lead the Lady Bulldogs.
NU has yet to drop a match in the second round after wins over University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.
The team is now at 8-2, moving a win away from a Final Four berth.
The Lady Bulldogs displayed their prowess in every area possible in the win in one hour and 21 minutes.
They blanked the Lady Bulldogs in blocks and service, 10-0 and 6-0, respectively. The former also dominated the spiking department, 47-26.
NU also limited UE rookie Casiey Dongallo, the league’s second-leading scorer, to a season-low six points.
Alyssa Solomon took the scoring mantle for the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points while Vange Alinsug and Chams Maaya made nine and eight points, respectively.
“Very happy kasi nakita namin kung ano yung pinagtrabahuhan namin nung mga training, lalo na nung Holy Week – na imbis na umuwi or mag-spend time sa family namin, mas pinili namin mag-training at i-polish pa yung galaw namin,” said Solomon.
NU will gun for four straight next Wednesday against Ateneo at the same Pasay venue.
Dongallo had a woeful 6-of-43 attack clip as the Lady Warriors slipped to 2-7 at seventh. Riza Nogales also had six kills in the defeat.
UE’s schedule is not going to get easier. It will next cross paths with defending champion De La Salle University on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
