NATIONAL U was pushed harder than expected at the start, but still took care of business.
The Lady Bulldogs fended off a gritty University of the East side in straight sets, 25-19, 25-10, 25-19, in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Even without injured Sam Cantada, who continues to recover from a right shin injury sustained four days earlier, NU had enough firepower to keep the winless Lady Warriors at bay.
The victory allowed the defending champions to get back up from their first stumble and improve to 4-1, while UE’s struggles deepened, as the Recto side absorbed its 19th straight defeat dating back to its winless Season 87 campaign and fell to 0-5 in this ongoing tournament.
“Nag-move on lang kami at pinag-usapan ‘yung nangyari, pero still, hindi pa naman du’n natatapos ang lahat,” said NU captain Vange Alinsug.
“Marami pa naman kaming chance na baguhin at pagtrabahuan ‘yung mga susunod na games.”
Surprisingly, it was University of the East that seized the early initiative, building a 13-8 lead in the opening set.
National U quickly regained its footing behind second-string winger Celine Marsh and Alinsug, who combined for 10 points in the frame to flip the script and take the set.
The Lady Bulldogs then stepped on the gas in the second, pulling away with a decisive 12-4 run after already building a 13-6 cushion against the cellar-dwelling Lady Red Warriors.
By the third set, NU had full control. The defending champions pieced together another steady stretch to close out the match far more comfortably than how it began.
Marsh finished with 11 points and 12 digs, while Alinsug matched her with 11 markers. Arah Panique paced the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points.
For UE, Van Bangayan tallied 12 points while KC Cepada added 10 in yet another tough outing for the still-winless Lady Red Warriors.
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