By Ardyn Gonzales
The reigning MVP Bella Belen is on her way to her third MVP plum after leading the National University Lady Bulldogs past their rivals University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses in another five-set marathon, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Belen tallied her season-high 26 points featuring a 24-to-45 attack percentage on top of 17 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. After the last game of elimination round, Belen lords it over the other players as the number one spiker and server of the league, and one of the top diggers and receivers.
After leading the match, 2-1, NU was looking good in the fourth after a 6-0 start. However, UST fought back halfway through the fourth set and snatched the lead at 19-17.
The Lady Bulldogs responded and regained the lead, 21-20, before Reg Jurado came out clutch for UST and scored unanswered points to force an extension.
The defending champions knew what to do in the fifth set as they created a 9-7 separation. Erin Pangilinan widened the gap after a quick attack from the middle, followed by the consecutive scores by Belen that saw NU mount a 6-2 run to finish off the Golden Tigresses.
NU completed its elimination round sweep of UST and maintained their hold of the number one spot in the standings. Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Lady Bulldogs will face FEU again in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Reg Jurado led UST with 19 markers as their loss sent them to a 9-5 standings, tied with La Salle and FEU. The Golden Tigresses will be battling against the Lady Spikers in a playoff to fight for the second twice-to-beat advantage.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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