MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs hacked out a 25-10, 25-20, 25-15 sweep against the slumping University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Rookie Mhicaela Belen spearheaded the offense with 13 points, all from attacks, while Ilongga Princess Ann Robles chimed in 12 points as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-0 slate.
Middle blocker Ivy Lacsina gathered 11 points while libero Jennifer Nierva held the fort in defense for the Lady Bulldogs with 17 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
After dominating the Fighting Maroons in the first set, the Lady Bulldogs were engaged in a tight second set by the Fighting Maroons as they cling to 23-20 edge before NU closed the set on back-to-back hits by Robles and Erin Pangilinan.
The Fighting Maroons zoomed to a 6-1 start in the third set, but the steady Lady Bulldogs responded with a 20-5 counter-blitz to build an insurmountable 21-11 lead en route to another win.
“Kailangan din namin itong panalo na ‘to going to second round kasi momentum namin ito para makapag-prepare kami sa mas mahirap na second round,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
“’Yung team namin is bata pero [itong first round sweep] kailangan namin para ma-motivate kami lalo sa preparation namin for next round,” he added.
None scored double figures for UP as Niña Ytang and Jewel Encarnacion tallied seven points apiece. They suffered their fourth straight loss to drop to 3-4.
In the first game, Adamson University Lady Falcons returned to the win column, tripping winless University of the East Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-23, 25-20, 25-18.
Lorene Toring delivered 14 points on 10 attacks and four blocks, as the Lady Falcons will enter the second round at 4-3. The Lady Warriors slid to 0-7 slate./PN
