By Ardyn Gonzales
The defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs are still undefeated after the first round of elimination as they escaped the University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses in a highly contested five-setter match, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
In the rematch of last season’s finals, the win of the Lady Bulldogs was not without the challenge from UST who pushed NU to a 1-2 deficit.
Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, and Vange Alinsug carried the defending champions in the fourth set when NU pulled away after the second technical timeout, 17-12. UST tried to catch up but the Lady Bulldogs’ offense came alive down the stretch, widening the lead to a 23-17 advantage.
Alinsug and Solomon provided the finishing touches to extend the match to a fifth.
With momentum on their side, NU was able to hold on to a three-point margin in the fifth set, 8-5, before making a run to extend the cushion to six points. The Golden Tigresses cut down the lead to four, but Alinsug quickly responded with an off-the-block attack, followed by a well-placed drop shot by Solomon to complete the win against UST, sweeping the first round of the eliminations.
Solomon unleashed 24 points on 21 attacks and three kill blocks. Reigning two-time MVP Belen had a triple-double performance with 19 attacks, 17 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions. Alinsug completed the output of NU’s triumvirate and finished the match with 17 markers.
Meanwhile, Angge Poyos was held down to a rare 12-to-56 attacking output in UST’s second loss.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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