DEFENDING champion National University brushed off a tough University of the Philippines stand in the second and third sets to fashion out a 25-13, 25-23, 25-22 win and stretch its perfect run to five in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Reigning MVP Bella Belen hammered 17 kills and had seven receptions and four digs while Alyssa Solomon had three blocks for a 16-point effort as the Lady Bulldogs were able to handle the Fighting Maroons in the close final two sets after winning the opener.

“Happy naman siyempre nakuha namin yung panalo pero siyempre yung situation nung second and third [set] magkaiba kasi. Nakarekober din kami doon sa run ng UP. Pero, knowing NU naman mga seniors na sila so alam na rin naman nila yung gagawin nila,” said coach Sherwin Meneses.

Later, Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado combined for 33 points while Pia Abbu had five blocks for a 13-point effort as University of Santo Tomas extended its winning streak to five games with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Ateneo in front of 7,680 fans.

It was the Tigresses’ first straight-set win this season, a much-needed confidence booster heading into their much-awaited duel with the Lady Bulldogs, a rematch of last season’s Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Thankful kami first time namin maka straight set. Ipa-polish pa namin ‘yung mga skills kasi nagkakaroon ng doubt saka confusion sa game namin especially sa receiving formation namin kaya kailangan naming itama at… kailangan committed sila sa lahat ng gagawin nila,” said coach Kungfu Reyes’ trusted lieutenant Yani Fernandez after the one-hour, 34-minute match.

Belen, who together with Solomon are hoping to end their college careers as champions, was happy to see young talents Celine Marsh and Arah Panique to get court time in tight moments.

“Lagi ko lang naman sinasabi sa mga pinapasok ni coach Sherwin, lalo na sa mga bata na ilaro lang nila kung ano yung laro nila. Kasi minsan, masyado silang maraming iniisip. Siguro nga, dahil pressured or dahil dikit yung laban kanina. Then yun lang, sinabi ko lang na kailangan lang nila ienjoy kasi binigyan sila ng opportunity to play,” said Belen.

Up next for NU is a showdown with Shai Nitura-led Adamson on Wednesday before wrapping up its first round assignments against UST.

Already without Zel Tsunashima and JLo delos Santos, the Blue Eagles lost another spiker in Sobe Buena, who suffered a non-contact right leg injury, was stretchered out of the court and never returned in the match.

The Tigresses’ Cassie Carballo tossed in 17 excellent sets and had four digs while libero Det Pepito, who even scored a point in the third set, collected eight digs and eight receptions.

“All thanks po sa coaches namin na grabe po ‘yung tiyaga sa amin sa training and tinututukan po kami individually and per department po sa skills. Sa kanila po talaga ang puri sa performance namin ngayon,” said Abbu.

AC Miner paced Ateneo with 13 points while Lyann de Guzman added 11 points, five receptions and four digs.

Kass Doering, an one-and-done American middle blocker, top-scored for the Fighting Maroons with 11 points on 8-of-13 kills and three blocks. Kianne Olango, a product of NU Nazareth School, contributed 10 points.

UP missed Niña Ytang for a second straight game as the decorated middle blocker is still feeling under the weather.

In the men’s division, Ateneo overcame a third-set stumble to snap UST’s four-game match streak, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, to join La Salle in fourth place at 3-2.

Five-peat seeking NU overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22 victory over UP for its second straight win and fourth overall in five matches in solo second.

It was the Blue Eagles third consecutive victory against the Golden Spikers dating back from last season as it served as confidence booster heading into the rivalry match against the Green Spikers on Wednesday.

Despite the return of reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, who entered as service specialist, UST suffered its second defeat in six matches.

“Lahat ng makakalaban namin moving forward is top team. Lahat ng teams sa UAAP, lahat yan malalakas at pangchampion. Ganon dapat namin sila pinaghahandaan every game, kahit sino at kahit ano rank, kahit maglalaro pa sa worlds, dapat iisa lang yung mindset namin na top-caliber yung kalaban namin para hindi kami maging complacent,” Ateneo coach Vince Mangulabnan said.

Ken Batas continued his scoring run with 21 points performance built on 17-of-36 kills, three service aces, and one block with 10 receptions, while Amil Pacinio provided ample support with 17 points on 14-of-29 spikes, two blocks, and an ace.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, pag nanalo kami, hindi dahil sa aming coaches ‘yon, dahil sa kanila kasi nga nagtiwala lang sila kung ano game plan namin. It’s all guidance lang talaga with the way we practice and magaral, it’s all guide kasi yung inaral namin, nagbunga,” Mangulabnan said.

Buds Buddin, who fired three service aces in a dominant Bulldogs showing, finished with 22 points on 17-of-36 kills and six receptions, while Leo Aringo and Leo Ordiales added 16 and 14 points, respectively.

“Yung naging problema talaga namin nung third set is yung mga unforced errors namin and kung kailan kami nakakuha ng momentum, nawawala sa amin. Nung fourth set, minindset lang namin na meron dapat kami ginagawa na may kasigurudahan, hindi pwedeng magdoubt sa sarili,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

After dropping the third set, the Bulldogs regained their composure in the fourth, breaking an 18-18 stalemate by scoring four straight points capped by an Aringo ace and never looked back.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado