GAMES SATURDAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
9 a.m. – UST vs. UE (M)
11 a.m. – UST vs. UE (W)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs. Adamson (M)
5 p.m. – DLSU vs. Adamson (W)
REIGNING champion National University sustained its hot start in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, humbling Ateneo yesterday 25-23, 25-19, 25-15 at The Arena in San Juan.
The back-to-back title-seeking Lady Bulldogs proved dominant, winning in less than hours, with graduating opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon delivering 12 points and open spiker Vange Alinsug adding 10.
Skipper and reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen made her presence felt in offense and defense with nine markers, seven excellent receptions, and five digs for the blue-and-gold crew while setter Camilla Lamina dished out 14 excellent sets along with two points.
NU improved to 2-0 while Ateneo dropped to 0-2s.
“Siyempre sobrang happy. Talagang total team effort iyong nangyari ngayon sa game. Hopefully, mag-improve pa iyong team effort ng team sa mga next games naming,” NU tactician Sherwin Meneses said.
Meneses, who fielded all his players in the match, praised his bench for contributing to the team’s cause.
“Ang mga bench players namin talagang ready. Pag pinasok mo talagang nagko-contribute. Iyon naman lagi naming sinasabi namin sa training, kailangan trabaho, ready, maging competitive sa bawat point na darating sa kanila. So, happy kami kasi lahat nag-contribute,” he added.
In the third straight, the Lady Bulldogs did not show signs of slowing down, taking an 18-10 lead and going to 21-12 after a setting error from KC Cortez.
Team captain Lyann De Guzman fired nine points and seven excellent receptions for Ateneo while graduating AC Miner and rookie Alexia Montoro combined 18 markers.
The Blue Eagles went into the match with reliable wing spikers Zel Tsunashima and Jennifer Delos Santos who went down with season-ending injuries – a broken left tibia and fibula and a left ACL tear, respectively.
