MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs recovered from their first loss in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18 win over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alyssa Solomon anchored the Lady Bulldogs’ win with a season-high of 30 points, on 26 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, to go with four excellent digs as they improved to a 9-1 win-loss slate.
Mhicaela Belen tallied a triple-double of 18 points, 14 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, while Evangeline Alinsug contributed 13 points, 13 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs for NU.
After splitting the first two sets, the Lady Bulldogs were engaged in a tight battle in the third frame with the score tied at 24-all before they escaped with a set win courtesy of back-to-back hits from Alinsug and Belen.
The Lady Bulldogs then started strong in the fourth set as they jumped to a 17-9 advantage. The Lady Tamaraws managed to cut the deficit to 14-19, but NU leaned on conversions from Belen and Solomon to finish the match.
Faida Bakanke top-scored with 21 points, from 18 attacks and three blocks, while Jean Asis and Jazlyn Ellarina contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Lady Tamaraws, which dropped to a 6-4 record.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons notched their second straight victory with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 sweep over the hapless University of the East Lady Warriors.
Negrense Joan Marie Monares finished with 15 points, from 10 attacks, three service aces, and two blocks, to go with six excellent digs and five excellent receptions as the Fighting Maroons improved to a 5-5 win-loss slate.
Antiquena Irah Jaboneta added 13 points, all coming from attacks, to go with nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions for UP, which came from a huge five-set win over the Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday.
Nessa Bangayan finished with 13 points, all coming from attacks, while Khy Cepada was held to just four markers as the Lady Warriors remained win-less in 10 matches./PN
