MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs battled back from two sets down to defeat Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 17-15, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mhicaela Belen led the team with a triple-double of 24 points, 14 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions, guiding the Lady Bulldogs to their fourth consecutive appearance in the UAAP Finals.
Alyssa Solomon added 21 markers, from 18 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while Evangeline Alinsug and Chams Maaya contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively, for the Lady Bulldogs.
After dropping the first two sets, the Lady Bulldogs mounted their own rampage in the third and fourth frame behind Belen, Solomon, and Alinsug as they send the match to a decider.
In the fifth set, the Lady Bulldogs surged to an early 8-6 lead, but the Lady Tamaraws forced a deadlock several times with last at 15-all before Belen ended the match with her consecutive hits.
Faida Bakanke top-scored for the Lady Tamaraws with 15 points, Gerzel Petallo and Jazlyn Ellarina added 14 markers apiece, and Chen Tagaod contributed 10 points in the loss.
Later in the day, De La Salle University Lady Spikers staved off a gritty stand by University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses for a 25-22, 11-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory in their separate Final Four encounter.
Negrense Angel Anne Canino finished with 19 points, from 17 attacks and two blocks, to go with six excellent digs and five excellent receptions as the Lady Spikers achieved their 21st UAAP Finals appearance.
Ilongga Amie Provido added 15 markers, from 11 attacks, three service aces, and a block, while Shevana Laput contributed 14 points, from 11 attacks and three blocks, for the Lady Spikers.
DLSU thus set up a best-of-three championship clash with the Lady Bulldogs in a rematch of Season 85 Finals won by the Lady Spikers./PN
