GAMES WEDNESDAY
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. — NU vs. FEU (M)
5 p.m. — DLSU vs. NU (W)
REIGNING champion National University drew first blood in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball finals yesterday, turning back rival De La Salle University 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Displaying their champion form, the Lady Bulldogs rode graduating skipper Bella Belen’s triple-double outing of 19 points built on 17 attacks and two service aces, 15 digs and 10 excellent receptions to win before a roaring crowd of 15,192.
Third-year spiker Venge Alinsug also starred for the reigning titlists with 21 points, all on attacks, while libero Shaira Jardio had 28 excellent receptions and 18 digs as National U closed in on its first back-to-back title romp in school history.
The Sampaloc-based crew also moved a win away from capping their fifth overall crown.
“Iyong game hindi natin masabi. Talagang ang situation sa third set, talagang kailangan lang namin tanggapin. Iyon naman iyong pinakamahalaga, iyong maka-recover ka. Hopefully, mabalikan namin sa two days iyong preparation namin tomorrow for Game 2,” said NU mentor Sherwin Meneses, who’s vying his first UAAP title.
After being silenced by their resurgent foes in the third set, the Lady Bulldogs found their groove back in the fourth, taking a 10-6 lead that they padded to 23-17 en route to victory.
“Up kami ng two sets, and then nakuha ng La Salle iyong third [set], sabi ko lang na kailangan naming pagtrabahuhan every point kasi hindi ibibigay sa atin basta-basta iyong game. Kailangan naming paghirapan and pagtrabahuhan,” said Belen.
The two squads meet anew this Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for Game 2.
In the men’s division, Far Eastern University Tamaraws tamed defending champion National University in a thriller 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 and moved closer to the Promised Land.
