NU Lady Bulldogs and Alyssa Solomon during a game against FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University surpassed its closest challenger so far, weathering the gritty Far Eastern University in five sets, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8, to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
On the verge of their first defeat with two sets to one disadvantage, Alyssa Solomon took matters into her own hands, catching fire in the fourth to bring NU to set point, 24-21.
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FEU’s Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina cut it down to one but the former’s last attack attempt went out. Coach Tina Salak called for a video challenge but it was unsuccessful.
Solomon sustained her dominant form in the fifth with Belen firing her seventh ace followed by a net touch violation from FEU for an 8-3 start. Erin Pangilinan stretched the lead to 12-7, hitting a finger-wag celebration and never looked back.
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NU Lady Bulldogs’ Erin Pangilinan and Lams Lamina. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Solomon powered the Lady Bulldogs’ comeback with 23 points off 19 kills and four blocks, while Belen finished with 13 attacks including the match-clinching hit, one block and unleashed a season-high seven aces — an ace away from tying her record eight two years ago — ending up with 21 points and 12 digs.
“Nung padulo na, ayoko talagang makuha nila yung laro. Kailangan talagang may isa or lahat kami, kailangan talaga naming ilaban at ibigay lahat ng meron kami,” said Solomon.
“Sinabi namin sa isa’t isa na ‘wag nating hayaang masayang yung pinagtrabahuan natin nung mga nakaranang weeks. Pinaghandaan talaga naminitong FEU game, so [sinabi namin na] ‘wag nating bitawan agad.”
Vange Alinsug also stepped up for NU with 19 points and 15 excellent receptions, as setter Lams Lamina continued to shine this season with her brilliant plays with 23 excellent sets.
“Expected ko naman talaga yung FEU na talagang contender din talaga sila ngayon. Ready lang kami sa lahat ng situation na mangyayari, lamang kami or hindi, yung composure dapat lagi lang nandiyan kasi talagang syempre maraming teams talaga na gustong-gustong talunin yung NU,” said NU coach Sherwin Meneses. “Thankful sa mga players na naka-recover kami sa 2-1 down. Senior talaga yung team namin, nandiyan sila palagi sa mga crucial point na hinahanap ng team. Happy kami at nakarecover kami.”
READ: UAAP: Gerz Petallo, FEU bank on teamwork in opening win
The Lady Bulldogs lost steam after dominating the opening set as they absorbed their first set defeat of the season in the second with Jean Asis nailing a pair of clutch blocks to tie the game at 1-1.
NU was a point away from regaining the match lead when Alexa Mata denied Jaz Ellarina’s attack for a 24-23 advantage in the third but Alyzza Devosora delivered the equalizer. Mata’s next attack attempt was way out before Faida Bakanke nailed a big block on Bella Belen to put FEU ahead, 2-1.
FEU dropped to a 1-2 record, losing back-to-back games including a frustrating four-set defeat to the University of the Philippines last Wednesday.
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Asis led the Lady Tamaraws with 20 points including three blocks. Bakanke had 12 points. Former NU player Ellarina delivered 11 points, while Gerz Petallo added seven points, 19 receptions, and 11 digs.
