LA SALLE and National University primed up for their much-anticipated showdown on Tuesday by posting impressive wins while University of the Philippines made it a three-way tie for the lead in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Jolina dela Cruz came through with 12 kills, 11 digs and 11 receptions as the Lady Spikers swept Adamson, 25-21, 25-20, 25-14, to stay unbeaten in two matches.

Mhicaela Belen had 18 points and 12 receptions while Cess Robles also scored 18 hits and collected 13 digs as the Lady Bulldogs also improved to 2-0 following a 25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 25-22 conquest of titleholder Ateneo.

In the first match that went to distance this season, the Fighting Maroons overcame a Far Eastern University fightback from two sets down to carve out a 25-12, 25-22, 24-26, 27-29, 15-11 win.

Avoiding a meltdown after being up by two sets to none, UP built a 11-3 lead in the decider.

The Lady Tamaraws closed in at 7-11 before Lorie Bernardo scored a kill for the Fighting Maroons to stop the bleeding.

Alyssa Bertolano then delivered clutch kills for UP to post its second straight victory.

Bertolano finished with 25 points, 11 receptions and 10 digs while Irah Jaboneta was equally impressive with 13 points, including two service aces, 14 receptions and 12 digs.

The tallest teams in the league, La Salle and NU will cross paths on Tuesday in a potential Finals preview.

The Lady Spikers had a slow start, but Dela Cruz was very happy the way the squad performed after they overcame rough patches in the opening set.

“Noong second and third set, less errors kami,” said Dela Cruz.

First-year player Alleiah Malaluan also scored 12 points while La Salle libero Justine Jazareno was all over the place with 28 digs and 12 receptions. Baby Jyne Soreño and Leila Cruz combined for four of La Salle’s nine blocks.

The Lady Bulldogs overcame a tough Blue Eagles resistance, as coach Karl Dimaculangan was satisfied the way his troops displayed tremendous composure in the two-hour, 16-minute match.

“Siguro in terms of nung preparation lang siguro namin naging malaking bagay sa amin,” said Dimaculangan.

“Pero yung errors namin yung nagiging problema namin so iaaddress namin yun, kailangan naming mag-review,” he added.

NU committed 38 errors, but it was compensated by dominating in the attacks (61-37) and service department (10-3).

Alyssa Solomon had four service aces for a 15-point outing, Ivy Lacsina scored 12 points, while libero Jen Nierva was also solid for the Lady Bulldogs with 20 digs and 13 receptions.

NU defeated Ateneo for the first time since Feb. 7, 2018, when Jaja Santiago-led squad scored a 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 12-25, 15-7 victory.

Playing against her former high school team, Faith Nisperos took the scoring mantle for the Blue Eagles with 16 points and had 10 digs and 19 receptions.

Ateneo dropped to 0-2, its worst start since 2018 when it opened its season with back-to-back lossed to FEU and NU.

The Lady Falcons and the Lady Tamaraws also stumbled to their second consecutive defeat.

Standings

W L
NU 2 0
DLSU 2 0
UP 2 0
UST 1 0
UE 0 1
FEU 0 2
Ateneo 0 2
AdU 0 2

Games Tuesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – UST vs UP
12 noon – FEU vs UE
4 p.m. – DLSU vs NU
6 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo