BARK AND BITE
This close to a perfect first round, National University continues to keep its focus on getting better.
“I think NU’s performance will continue to improve going into the second round and Sunday’s final game of the first round,” said Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses on Wednesday.
That final first-round assignment in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament is against University of Santo Tomas, the last team that stood in NU’s way in last season’s title run.
The Lady Bulldogs will take a 6-0 (win-loss) record heading into that showdown, adding the dangerous Adamson Lady Falcons to their list of victims following a 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 on Wednesday victory at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Falcons gave the defending champions a good workout heading into the weekend, especially in the second set, where NU needed clutch performances from Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug to eke out a win.
“It was a good match for us because we knew Adamson wouldn’t go down without a fight,” said Alinsug. “So we just had to keep pushing until the end of every set.”
Chill approach
The Tigresses are expected to give the Lady Bulldogs a similar fight, albeit one with a more chill approach to the game.
“We’ll stick to the system, enjoy the game,” said Detdet Pepito, the UST captain. “We’re excited to play them because we learn a lot from them.”
Meanwhile, La Salle kept itself near the top with its fourth win in six matches after turning back rival Ateneo, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19.
It was a third straight victory for the Lady Spikers after a rare shaky start to a season.
“I reminded [the players] that in these situations, mental toughness must prevail. We made errors, lost control, and that cost us the third set,” said coach Ramil de Jesus.
Shevana Laput delivered a career performance, firing 25 points on 19 spikes, while Angel Canino contributed 17 points, including 13 attacks and four blocks. Alleiah Malaluan added 12 points. Rookie Mikole Reyes controlled the pace with 20 excellent sets.
Solomon led NU with a game-best 22 points, delivering 15 spikes, four blocks, and three aces. Two-time MVP Bella Belen added nine points and 12 digs, while Alinsug finished with 12 points and four excellent receptions.
Adamson, now at 2-4 and tied with the University of the Philippines in fifth place, will try to bounce back on Sunday at 1 p.m. when it faces the Fighting Maroons.
