MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs gained an outright finals seat in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball following a sweep of their 14-game double-round elimination matches.
The Lady Bulldogs capped off the elims sweep with a 25-22, 29-27, 25-17 straight set romp of University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ilongga Princess Anne Robles top-scored for the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points while Mhicaela Belen had triple-double 12 points, 21 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs.
Alyssa Solomon and Sheena Toring also hit double-figures in offense with 12 and 11, respectively, Guimarasnon Camilla Lamina dished out 30 excellent sets while Jennifer Nierva had 15 excellent receptions and 13 digs.
With the sweep, NU became the fourth team in the Final Four era to complete a 14-match elimination sweep after La Salle in Seasons 66 and 76 and Ateneo in Season 77.
After playing in two tight sets, the Lady Bulldogs just popped off in the third set and built a huge 10-point lead, 17-7, off a Robles hit to pull away from the Golden Tigresses.
UST got close to within six, 17-23, after Ysa Jimenez converted three consecutive hits but also committed an attack error. Robles then ended the game with another conversion.
Ejiya Laure finished with double-double 13 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Ypril Tapia had six points and 10 excellent receptions as the Golden Tigresses dropped to no.3 with 9-5 win-loss slate.
Adamson University Lady Falcons and defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, meanwhile, will dispute for the last semis seat after ending the eliminations with identical 8-6 record.
The Lady Falcons scored a 25-23, 17-25, 25-16, 26-24 stunner over no.2 seed De La Salle University Lady Spikers, while the Blue Eagles walloped University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 19-25, 25-11, 25-18, 25-19.
University of the East Lady Warriors, meanwhile, avoided a winless season after a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21 win over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. Both teams ended with 1-13 slate./PN
