THE streak is over.
National University handed University of Sto. Tomas its first loss in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball, 23-15, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Bella Belen fired a triple-double of 24 points (21 attacks, two blocks and one ace), 13 digs and 10 receptions as the Lady Bulldogs avenged their straight-sets loss to the Tigresses on opening weekend to improve to a 7-2 (win-loss) card.
READ: Ateneo shows no mercy to Katipunan neighbor UP in UAAP
"Lahat sa'min, talagang ginustong manalo sa laro na 'to kasi 'yung lagi ko kasing sinasabi sa teammates ko kanina, wala pa silang (UST) talo so mas masarap manalo," said Belen.
"Nakita ko naman na nag-respond sila and talagang binigay lang namin 'yung best namin and sobrang saya ko kasi nakita ko 'yung pinagtrabahuhan namin these past few days, lumabas talaga sa game na 'to," she added.
The erstwhile unbeaten UST caught fire early and clawed their way to an opening-set win. But from there, the Lady Bulldogs clamped the Tigresses down and completed the reverse sweep from a set down.
Belen took flight on offense alongside NU's scoring trifecta in Vange Alinsug (18 points) and Alyssa Solomon (17 points), who landed the game-winning service ace.
On the flip side, it was a first taste of defeat that stung for the Tigresses following a tightly-contested five-set win over Ateneo -- one led by an 18-attack display from UST super rookie Angge Poyos.
UST libero-captain Detdet Pepito (15 digs) and lead playmaker Cassie Carballo (13 excellent sets) paced the España side's opening loss in the final second-round matchday ahead of the Holy Week break.
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