NATIONAL University repulsed title rival University of Santo Tomas, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9, to complete a seven-game first round sweep in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament in front of a packed Big Dome on Sunday.
Just as the Lady Bulldogs pulled off a resounding 11-1 blitz in the second frame, Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos towed the Golden Tigresses to a 2-1 set lead that slipped away come the tiebreak in the fifth.
National U built on the momentum of an early 4-1 start in Set 5 and took full control from there onwards to seal its seventh win.
Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and all of NU proved much too good in sudden death, as they snatched the win from the jaws of defeat in an instant thriller.
Amid all the noise surrounding her KOVO Draft exit, Solomon still took care of business for National U with 24 points and seven digs.
Backing Solomon up was reigning MVP Belen with 19 points, 17 digs and 15 receptions — made possible by a season-high 33 excellent sets from Lams Lamina.
"Hindi siya naging madali eh. Katulad ngayon, muntik na (kaming matalo). Kailangan yung eagerness namin sa paglalaro, nandun lagi," Belen said.
"Hindi naman namin siya inexpect na massweep namin yung first round kasi at the end of the day, ang goal lang naman namin is mag-champion. Matalo man o manalo ngayon, basta’t yung goal namin is nandun kami dapat sa dulo."
The Lady Bulldogs extended their head-to-head win streak against the Golden Tigresses to four, which includes their second round Season 86 prelims matchup, as well as both games in the title series.
Making the victory much sweeter for the defending champions is how they’ve now won 17 of their last 18 matches overall.
While National U stands alone atop the team standings at 7-0, championship contenders UST and La Salle share the spoils in second-place with identical 5-2 records ahead of Round 2.
Not enough roar
Meanwhile, UST lands in third place to end the first round but did not fall short of heroes in a brave yet crestfallen effort.
Reg Jurado (16 points, 16 digs) and Angge Poyos (12 points, 15 receptions, 10 digs) manned the Golden Tigresses' offense.
Meanwhile, Cassie Carballo (27 excellent sets, 10 points) and Detdet Pepito (24 digs, 13 receptions) stood out in the non-scoring departments.
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