NATIONAL University dismantled University of the Philippines, 25-10, 25-20, 25-15, to complete a first round sweep in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With their seventh straight victory, the streak is the Lady Bulldogs’ longest since a 10-game winning run in their failed championship run in the 2013-14 season.

In the showdown of 2019 Finals protagonists University of Santo Tomas outlasted titleholder Ateneo, 25-19, 25-21, 29-31, 33-31, for its fifth win in seven matches.

Earlier, Adamson produced its finest first round performance in nine years with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 sweep of University of the East.

The much-neeed weekend break between the first and second rounds will help NU coach Karl Dimaculangan assess how the team will improve heading into the crucial stage of the season.

“Yung team namin is bata pero itong first round sweep yung kailangan namin para mamotivate kami lalo sa preparation namin for next round. Yung ibang team marami nang adjustment and familiarity kaya kailangan namin mas mag prepare,” said Dimaculangan.

“Kailangan din namin itong panalo na to going to second round kasi momentum namin ito para makapag prepare pa kami sa mas mahirap na darating na second round,” he added.

Mhicaela Belen paced the Lady Bulldogs with 13 kills, Cess Robles added 12 points and 12 digs while Ivy Lacsina fired two service aces for a 11-point effort.

NU libero Jen Nierva, who entered the scoring column for a second straight match with a smart play midway in the third set, collected 17 digs and seven receptions.

Eya Laure scored a career-high 31 points and tallied 14 receptions as the Tigresses made sure that there were no meltdowns in the fourth set after squandering three match points in the third.

Imee Hernandez played her best game with 14 points, KC Galdones had three blocks for a 12-point outing, while rookie Ypril Tapia added 11 points and 11 digs for UST.

Faith Nisperos had 22 points, 12 receptions and nine digs while Vanie Gandler chipped in 18 kills for the Blue Eagles, who saw their three-match winning streak snapped.

May Ann Nuique came through with 15 points, including four blocks, while Lorene Toring also delivered four blocks for a 14-point effort as the Lady Falcons will enter the second round above the .500 mark.

Adamson’s 4-3 record is the team’s best first round mark since the 2012-13 season.

Coach Lerma Giron was satisfied the way the Lady Falcons bounced back from the previous setback that ended their three-match winning streak.

“Sabi ko lang sa kanila tanggapin yung pagkatalo namin sa UST, maraming lessons na itinuro sa bawat isa sa amin. Lahat ng pagkakamali natin doon, itry natin i-correct this game,” said Giron.

Rizza Cruz was the other Adamson player in double digits with 10 points while setter Louie Romero tossed in 19 excellent sets.

The Fighting Maroons, who drew seven points apiece from Niña Ytang and Jewel Encarnacion, continued their freefall by losing four in a row after a promising 0-3 start. UP remained tied with Ateneo at 3-4.

Ja Lana had 16 points and 12 receptions while Dara Nieva chipped in 14 points and seven digs for the Lady Warriors, who slid to 0-7. By Theodore Jurado