MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs got valuable contributions from their reserves to score a 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 win over University of the East Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Aishat Bello and Kaye Bombita made their presence felt with seven and five points, respectively, while rookie setter Abe Pono ended with eight excellent sets as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 5-1.
“Masaya kami kasi nagko-continue ‘yung winning streak tapos na-field in lahat ng mga players namin and then nag-perform at nag-contribute ng points,” said Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel.
The Lady Warriors opened the second set with fire, getting a 6-2 lead, but Bombita, Chams Maaya, and Mhicaela Belen lifted the Lady Bulldogs to a 25-19 for a 2-0 advantage.
“We’re really happy kasi nakita po namin na lahat kayang mag-contribute sa team,” said Belen, who top-scored with 11 points. “‘Yung team naman po kasi namin, we’re not building a star player; gusto namin lahat kami paangat, gusto namin walang maiiwan.”
Casiey Dongallo was limited to a season-low 11 points, while Riza Nogales and Khy Cepada combined for 11 markers as the Lady Warriors dropped their fifth straight game for a 1-5 record.
Meanwhile, defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers hardly broke a sweat as they defeated the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18.
Negrense Angel Canino delivered another strong performance with 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace as the Lady Spikers tied the Lady Bulldogs with 5-1 win-loss slate.
Shevana Laput added nine markers, including seven attacks and two blocks, while Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan contributed eight and seven markers, respectively, for the Lady Spikers.
But it was libero Lyka de Leon who earned Player of the Game honors with 13 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions for DLSU, which will face the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./PN
