MANILA — Reigning champion National University pulled off a gutsy reverse sweep on Saturday, clawing back from a two-set deficit to outlast Far Eastern University, 17-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Showing championship poise under pressure, the Lady Bulldogs flipped the momentum after a shaky start and unleashed a blistering finishing kick in the deciding set to improve to 3-0 in the standings.
NU found itself reeling early as the Lady Tamaraws dictated the tempo in the opening two sets behind the sharp attacks of Gerzel Petallo, Clarisse Loresco, and Alyssa Devosora. FEU’s aggressive net play and disciplined floor defense pushed the defending champions to the brink.
But the Lady Bulldogs responded like titleholders.
Arah Panique ignited the comeback in the third set with clutch hits that kept NU’s title defense alive. Evangeline Alinsug then imposed her all-around brilliance, powering the Lady Bulldogs through the fourth set to force a decider.
In the fifth, NU erased an early deficit before delivering a decisive 8-1 closing run. Rookie Samantha Cantada sparked the surge with steady defense and timely plays as the Lady Bulldogs completed the dramatic turnaround.
Panique exploded for 27 points to lead NU’s offense, while Alinsug delivered a superb triple-double performance of 15 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs.
Cantada, though limited to 11 points, anchored NU’s floor defense with 13 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs, underscoring the depth of the reigning champions.
Petallo paced FEU with 14 points, Loresco added 12, and Devosora chipped in 11, but the Lady Tamaraws faltered late and absorbed their first heartbreak of the season.
In the earlier match, Adamson University bounced back from its loss to NU with a convincing 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18 win over winless University of the East.
Shaina Nitura powered the Lady Falcons with a triple-double effort of 19 points, 13 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions to lift Adamson to a 2-1 record.
Frances Mordi matched Nitura with 19 points on 18 attacks and a block, while setter Felicity Sagaysay tallied 10 points, 15 excellent sets, and eight excellent digs.
Bea Zamudio led UE with 14 points, with Van Bangayan and Khy Cepada adding 11 apiece as the Lady Warriors slipped to 0-3.
The Lady Bulldogs’ comeback victory once again underscored why they remain the team to beat this season./PN
