NATIONAL University essayed a first yesterday after mastering De La Salle University 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 and completing a two-game sweep of their battle for the 87th women’s volleyball crown at the Mall of Asia Arena.
For the first time in school history, the Lady Bulldogs captured their first back-to-back championship while bagging their fifth overall crown.
Led by Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, National U bagged its third championship in four seasons before a crowd of 15,966.
Belen, a three-time UAAP MVP and outgoing skipper, starred for the gold-and-blue squad with 18 points, 11 digs and eight excellent receptions while graduating opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon scored 13 markers.
Outside hitter Vange Alinsug also contributed to NU’s cause with 10 points, newly-named Best Setter and graduating Camilla Lamina tossed 16 excellent sets, while libero Shaira Jardio caught 21 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Alinsug and Jardio were named Co-Finals MVP for their impressive performances.
Second Best Outside Spiker Angel Canino and Best Opposite Spiker Shevana Laput sizzled with 12 and 10 points for the Lady Spikers, respectively.
In the men’s side, reigning champion National University kept it five-peat dreams alive by forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
Thanks to the heroics of Michaelo Buddin and Obed Mukaba who both had 20 points, the Bulldogs prevailed yesterday 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11.
Leo Ordiales also chipped in for the five-peat seeking Bulldogs with 13 markers while skipper Leo Aringo contributed a double-double outing of 10 points and 17 excellent receptions.
The two squads will meet anew on Saturday at the same venue for Game 3.
Dryx Saavedra top-scored for the match with 24 points while Amet Bituin added 10 markers in FEU’s losing effort.
