NATIONAL U hit the halfway mark of first-round play untamed by crushing a hapless University of the East side in straight sets, 25-12, 25-11, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bella Belen went full-throttle in just three sets with 18 points, eight digs and six receptions.
Belen's eventual heiress to the throne in Vange Alinsug showed out with a double-double of her own of 10 points and 10 digs.
This comes even as reigning best opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon had an unusual off night with just six markers and one digs.
Even against a cellar-dwelling, winless team like like the Lady Warriors, don't expect the Lady Bulldogs to let their guard down against anyone in pursuit of a third championship in four seasons.
"Kahit sinong kalaban namin, kailangan yung effort na binibigay namin is 100-percent pa rin. Kumbaga, hindi dapat kami namimili ng kalaban, and I’m very happy kasi naging team effort po ito," Belen said.
"Hindi lang isa 'yung nagtrabaho para maipanalo and yun din naman po yung practice namin sa training na kahit sinong ipasok, dapat walang nagbabago sa ginagalaw namin sa loob ng court."
NU, never content
The defending champions hold fort as solo league-leaders with the only perfect record left at 4-0.
Being unbeaten is a thought that hasn't lingered too much in their minds, though.
"Hindi naman namin masyado iniisip yung pagiging unbeaten kasi mahaba yung tournament, gusto lang namin na makamit kung ano yung goal namin this season, magkatalo man kami or hindi," the two-time MVP said.
On the other hand, the Lady Warriors' downward spiral continued, as they've been blanked in back-to-back games. They remain winless in four starts.
Veteran mainstays Khy Cepada and Van Bangayan paced the loss with just seven points each.
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