MANILA – National University Lady Bulldogs cruised to a 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 sweep of Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alyssa Solomon finished with 13 points, built on 12 attacks and a block, to be named Player of the Game as the Lady Bulldogs swept their second-round of elimination matches and secured a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four with their 12-2 record.
Mhicaela Belen added 12 markers, Evangeline Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan had 11 and 10 points, respectively, Guimarasnon Camilla Lamina tossed 14 excellent sets, while Negrense libero Shaira Jardio had 16 excellent receptions and 11 digs.
The score was tied at 19-all after a conversion by Lady Tamaraws’ Chenie Tagaod in the third set, but the Lady Bulldogs went on a finishing run behind Solomon, Pangilinan, and Alinsug to seal the win in one hour and 32 minutes.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel said the team is happy with their turnaround in the second round of eliminations as they now await if they will head to the Final Four as the top-seed or No. 2 seed.
“So masaya kami that we finished the second round of eliminations (undefeated), but we are still confused if solo first place na ba kami or ano, but, regardless of that, masaya kami,” Miguel said.
“Ang mindset kasi namin, after these elimination round games, dun pa lang magsisimula ‘yung (tunay na) laban eh, we are hoping na makabalik uli kami sa (UAAP) finals,” he added.
Faida Bakanke finished with 14 points along with four digs, while Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo each posted nine points as the Lady Tamaraws improved to 9-5 win-loss slate for fourth place.
Meanwhile, Lyann de Guzman led Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles to a 25-13, 25-17, 25-21 sweep over Adamson University Lady Falcons as they both capped off their season campaign.
De Guzman finished with a team-high 14 points in potentially her final game with the Blue Eagles, which ended the season in fifth place with a 5-9 win-loss slate. The Lady Falcons dropped to 3-11./PN
