NATIONAL University stretched its season-opening win run to five after dominating the University of the Philippines, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Korea-seeking Alyssa Solomon went for 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks behind Bella Belen's 17 points, seven receptions, and four digs to keep National U's winning start alive.
Through five wins, the Lady Bulldogs picked up four sweeps and only dropped two sets to Far Eastern University in their first and only five-set match they eventually won via reverse sweep.
National U continued to match its perfect pace back in Season 84, when it completed a 16-game sweep of the tournament en route to its first title in 65 years.
That year saw the Lady Bulldogs force a stepladder Final Four to determine their eventual championship contender in La Salle.
With a title to defend this time, NU hopes to fend off all imminent contenders to the throne by stretching their red-hot run of form as far as it can go.
"Ayaw naman ng lahat siguro mag-stepladder. Gusto talaga nilang talunin kami. Ang biggest challenge na lang ay kung paano kami magiging consistent kasi medyo malayo pa yung season. Marami pang games, marami pang pwedeng mangyari," said Belen.
"'Di dapat kami mag-relax kahit na nasa top kami kasi lahat ng teams, hinahabol kami. Lahat ng teams gusto nilang matalo kami or makuha yung game. So kami naman, bibigay talaga namin yung best namin every game," Solomon added.
UP still down
As the champs rose higher, the once-2-0 Fighting Maroons fell harder, as they’ve now lost four in a row.
Rookie Kianne Olango paced the loss with 10 markers, as Joan Monares had a steady all-around game with eight points, eight digs, and nine receptions.
Still, the season hosts remained in sixth-place — one game behind Adamson at 2-3 and ahead of Katipunan rival Ateneo at 1-3.
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