GAMES SATURDAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. — UE vs. UST
3 p.m. — Adamson vs. FEU
FINAL Four-bound National University proved too strong for winless University of the East yesterday, scoring a 25-8, 25-22, 25-12 win in the second round of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The defending champion Lady Bulldogs regained their winning ways sans veteran opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon, with skipper Bella Belen leading the way with a double-double outing of 16 points and 13 digs, aside from eight excellent receptions.
Outside spiker Vange Alinsug and opposite hitter Aishat Bello chipped in nine points each for NU in the hour-and-38-minute affair while Camilla Lamina tossed 17 excellent sets and added a point.
Solomon remained on the sidelines for the second straight game, still recovering from a mild left ankle sprain.
With the victory, the Sherwin Meneses-mentored NU stayed at the top of the standings with a 10-2 win-loss record while getting closer to seizing a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
NU absorbed a heartbreaking loss to the Shaina Nitura-captained Adamson University over the weekend, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, a game that Solomon missed.
“I’m very happy na nakabawi iyong team kasi medyo masakit sa part namin iyong nangyari sa last game, iyon nga natalo kami. And lagi ko lang nire-remind iyong team dapat iyong mga susunod na laro namin dapat iyong performance namin mataas. Hindi iyong porket iyong kalaban namin is lower ranking, mababa na din iyong performance namin. So dapat kami, may standard kami sa paglalaro, kumbaga may goal kami as a team and as a player,” said Belen.
The Lady Bulldogs shoot for the first twice-to-beat advantage on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when they collide against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
