NATIONAL University put away Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-13, 27-25, 25-15, on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to reach the UAAP women’s volleyball finals for the third straight season.
Bella Belen led from the front with 21 points on 16 attacks and five aces on top of 14 digs as the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs bounced back from a shock loss to the Lady Tamaraws a week ago and got back on track in their bid for a second championship in three seasons and fourth overall.
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The vengeful win set the stage for a Season 86 finals between the Lady Bulldogs and the University of Santo Tomas, who outlasted defending champion La Salle in the other Final Four pairing.
"Happy kami na nakabawi kami sa FEU at nasa finals na kami, pero hindi kami titigil dahil pasok na kami sa Finals kasi hindi pa naman tapos 'yung goal namin at hindi pa siya nakukuha," said Belen.
"Masaya kami ngayon pero balik ulit sa training bukas kasi for sure, 'yung kalaban namin, nagpe-prepare na. Pero siyempre, 'yung preparation namin, mas lalo pa naming sisipagan para pagdating ng finals talagang ready kami," she added.
Coming to the aid of Belen on both ends was Sheena Toring with a season-high six blocks to cap her 13-point night.
Lams Lamina's 15 excellent sets and a stellar defensive showing for ace libero Shaira Jardio with 13 receptions and 11 digs propelled the Lady Bulldogs with their backs against the wall straight to the championship series.
Meanwhile, FEU's Cinderella run fell one win short of a return trip to the Finals with Chenie Tagaod's nine markers and Tin Ubaldo's 14 excellent sets pacing a last-gasp Final Four heartbreaker.
The best-of-three title series - the first in the league in 16 years without La Salle or Ateneo in it - begins on Saturday, 4 p.m. at the Big Dome.
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