NATIONAL University zeroed in on a top two prelims finish by dispatching Adamson, 25-16, 25-14, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
Alyssa Solomon fired 14 points on 12 attacks, one block, and one ace as NU is assured of at least a playoff for one of two twice-to-beat incentives.
READ: FEU rolls to its fifth straight victory at the expense of UP
The Lady Bulldogs temporarily seized solo first place at 11-2 (win-loss) over La Salle (10-2) and the University of Sto. Tomas (10-2) before their final prelims assignment versus semis-bound Far Eastern University.
"'Yung enjoyment every game (kulang pa) kasi siguro nung first round, parang du’n kami nagkulang sa enjoyment. Siguro din, ‘yung maturity na kailangan ‘di kami magrerelax sa every game. Kailangan mag-all out pa rin kami kahit sino pa ‘yung kalaban," said Solomon.
In what has been a stellar campaign on both ends of the floor thus far, Bella Belen underlined her MVP credentials yet again with 14 markers built on 12 attacks and two aces on top of five excellent digs.
"For me, hindi natatapos ang trabaho namin hangga't 'di pa natatapos 'yung season so kahit wala pa kaming talo this second round, hindi kami nag-sstop kasi hindi naman (Final Four lang) 'yung goal namin. Isa lang 'yun sa mga goal namin para maabot 'yung main goal namin so kailangan naman maging consistent pa lalo na pabigat nang pabigat yung mga kalaban namin," added Belen.
NU's one-two punch in Belen and Solomon had the lion's share of a game-high 51 total attacks for the Lady Bulldogs — 24 of which came from the decorated pair.
Lams Lamina's 11 excellent sets paired with eight digs and six receptions from Shaira Jardio helped NU's cause to cement its claim for a coveted twice-to-beat advantage.
No Lady Falcon reached double figures as their forlorn season reaches its tail-end, with Ayesha Juegos' eight markers pacing their tenth defeat in 13 games.
A chance to finish in the top two entering the semis awaits the Lady Bulldogs against fellow semifinalist Far Eastern University.
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