NU bounce back from stunner to dismantle UE

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

9 a.m. - UE vs UST (Men)
11 a.m. - AdU vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs UST (Women)
3 p.m. - AdU vs FEU (Women)

Reeling off a shock loss, National University responded in the most dominant way, overpowering also-ran University of the East, 25-8, 25-22, 25-12, to inch closer to a twice-to-beat edge in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

Despite missing the high-scoring Alyssa Solomon for a second straight game due to a mild left ankle sprain, the Final Four-bound Lady Bulldogs rose to 10-2, a win away from securing a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals which they can attain on Sunday when they take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m very happy na nakabawi ‘yung team kasi medyo masakit sa part namin ‘yung nangyari last game which is natalo kami. Lagi ko lang niremind ‘yung team na dapat ‘yung mga susunod na laro namin, dapat ‘yung performance namin mataas hindi porket ‘yung kalaban namin is lower-ranked team, mababa na rin ‘yung performance namin,” said two-time MVP Bella Belen, recalling their 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 22-25 loss to Adamson University last weekend.

The Lady Bulldogs entered the opening frame barking, not allowing the Lady Warriors to gain any momentum, cruising to a 25-8 victory with five of UE’s points even coming from NU’s errors.

The defending champions then unleashed a massive finisher in the third to end the game in one hour and 38 minutes, turning a 12-10 close call to a lopsided 25-12 clincher with Vange Alinsug, Aisha Bello, Erin Pangilinan, and Belen delivering the heavy hits.

“I’m so happy and all thanks to the coaches and my teammates for trusting me even though opposite is not my natural position but I’m trying to put my effort so I’m so happy to show what I am,” said Bello, who earned the start in lieu of Solomon.

Bello, a Nigerian middle blocker converted to an opposite spiker, tallied nine points and four digs, while Alinsug also made nine points in two sets of action.

Belen, aiming for a third MVP award, also had a stellar game of 16 points on 14-of-29 spikes and two aces along with 13 digs and eight receptions.

NU homegrown rookie Celine Marsh had seven points in one set while Pangilinan got seven as well in two sets played.

UE sustained its 12th straight defeat with two more chances to secure its breakthrough win in the forgettable season.

The Lady Warriors will next face the UST Golden Tigresses on Saturday before closing the season against the Blue Eagles.

The trio of Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, and Riza Nogales tallied six points apiece in the loss.

Nogales alone out-blocked the entire Lady Bulldogs’ crew with five blocks, a rejection better than their foes. However, the Lady Warriors fell hard in the attacking department, 18-49.

NU also dominated the service category with seven aces compared to none for UE.