NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–National University is heating up in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, prevailing over Far Eastern University for its fourth straight victory on Wednesday.
Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug continued to be a three-headed prong that powered the Lady Bulldogs to a 25-17, 13-25, 25-17, 25-20 win after their opening game loss to University of Santo Tomas.
“Nag-prepare talaga kami for FEU kasi although natalo ang FEU sa UST, they played a very good match so hindi kami pwede magkaroon ng complacency sa game today,” coach Norman Miguel said.
“Maganda itong confidence booster, especially we’ll play against [University of the East] on Sunday and then the big game (against La Salle),” Miguel added. “Pero, kami ang mindset namin one game at a time.”
National University bounced back from a second set beating the Lady Tamaraws their second consecutive loss.
“Happy ako sa naging performance namin. Nung second set, siguro nag-relax din kami,” Solomon said. “Tapos parang nakalimutan na naming gumalaw nang tama and nakalimutan na rin namin yung pinagpraktisan namin at yung mga inaral namin before makalaban yung FEU.”
READ: UAAP volleyball: NU Lady Bulldogs flaunt depth in keeping UP winless
Solomon led the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points from 21 attacks, three blocks and an ace while former Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player Belen added 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks as well as aces.
Belen also showcased her defense with 19 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions as Alinsug added 16 points.
Lamina ‘game changer’
NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball. –UAAP PHOTO
Camilla Lamina orchestrated NU’s offense with 13 excellent sets whole rookie playmaker Abegail Pono had breakout game with two blocks, three excellent digs and seven excellent sets.
“We consider her as the game-changer kanina. Ang maganda naman sa team namin, well kung si Lamina yung starting (setter) namin pero she has to step out because kailangan mag-perform ng isang setter, wala namang issue sa amin,” Miguel said.
“Naiintindihan naman ng lahat yun basta magpeperform ka para sa betterment nung team. Masaya kami for Abe na nag-[Player of the Game] siya ngayon,” he added.
WATCH: Belen and Solomon on improving their floor defense. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
pic.twitter.com/yplG4RizpF— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 6, 2024
Gerzel Petallo fired 17 points while Jean Asis 11 in the losing effort even as Tin Ubaldo had 12 excellent sets. Petallo also had eight excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
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NU lucked out in the clash after having twice as many mishaps, 28 errors, than its counterpart.
The Lady Bulldogs will have a few days to prepare against skidding University of the East on Sunday also at MoA Arena.