MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs moved a step closer to defending their UAAP women’s volleyball crown after defeating De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, in Game 1 of the Season 87 Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Evangeline Alinsug powered the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points—all from attacks—alongside four excellent receptions and three excellent digs as they took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Mhicaela Belen also delivered a strong performance with 19 points, including 17 attacks and two aces, while adding 15 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions for NU, who are now one win away from a second consecutive title.
After a hiccup in the third set, NU found themselves in a tight fourth set, holding on to a narrow 14-12 lead. But they pulled away behind timely hits from Alyssa Solomon, Alinsug, and Alexa Mata to widen the gap to 21-16.
A string of DLSU errors and back-to-back hits from Alinsug eventually sealed the victory for NU.
“Yung game naman hindi natin masabi, talagang yung situation sa third set kailangan lang naming tanggapin then bawi ng fourth set. Yun naman ang pinakamahalaga eh yung maka-recover ka,” said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Negrense Angel Canino led the Lady Spikers with 22 points from 21 attacks and a block, while Shevana Laput and Ilongga Amie Provido added 16 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University Tamaraws turned back NU Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball championship series.
Dryx Saavedra led the way with 25 points, built on 21 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, as the Tamaraws moved closer to their first UAAP Men’s Volleyball crown in 13 years or since Season 74.
Rookies Amet Bituin and Mikko Espartero chipped in 16 (13 attacks and three blocks) and 10 (all from attacks), respectively, for the Tamaraws, who took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series./PN
