By Ardyn Gonzales
The National University Lady Bulldogs completed a second round sweep after crushing the Far Eastern University Lady Taraws, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The victory catapulted the Lady Bulldogs to the top spot armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
It was a well-balanced scoring output for NU with four players finishing in double digits in just three sets, led by Alyssa Solomon with 13 points.
MVP frontrunner Bella Belen also had a productive day with 12 markers, while Vange Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the match, momentum stayed with NU as they were able to swiftly pull away in the third. With Alinsug, Belen, and Solomon doing the damage, they entered the second technical timeout, 16-11.
However, FEU slowly fought back and forced a 19-all deadlock.
The Lady Bulldogs answered back and retook the lead, and made it to match point, 24-22. A strong attack from the opposite by Alinsug sealed the straight sets victory over the Lady Tamaraws and completed their second round sweep.
Faida Bakanke carried FEU with 14 points, followed by Chen Tagaod and Gerz Petallo who chipped in 9 points each.
FEU will remain at the fourth spot coming into the Final Four and will face NU again in the semifinals if the Lady Bulldogs end up at the top seed.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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