DESPITE ending its five-game losing skid to La Salle, the fight is not yet over for National University in its redemption tour in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

Behind Vangie Alinsug’s 22 points and Bella Belen’s 14-kill, 14-reception, nine-dig outing, the Lady Bulldogs conquered the Angel Canino-less Lady Spikers, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22, to boost their twice-to-beat Final Four bid Sunday night in front of 11,414 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Ito pong game na ito, malaki siyang confidence booster sa amin knowing na champion team yung La Salle,” said Belen.

“Pero ang kailangan na lang namin is consistency since may last two games pa kami sa eliminations. I believe yung trend naman ng team na to ay pa-angat, so I think we’re peaking at the right time,” the Season 84 Rookie-MVP added.

NU, which has won its last five matches and remains undefeated in the second round, moved in a tie with University of Santo Tomas in first place at 10-2.

The Lady Bulldogs and the Tigresses are precariously holding a half-a-game lead over the Lady Spikers (9-2) in the chase for the two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four.

NU’s win also snapping La Salle’s seven-game winning streak in the season.

Before this victory, the Lady Bulldogs last emerged triumphant over the Lady Spikers was on their Season 84 championship clincher back on June 21, 2022, a masterful 25-15, 25-15, 25-22 sweep to end a 65-year title drought.

“Sobrang happy ko po talaga since gusto namin itong mangyari ngayon simula pa kagabi na yung pinaguusapan namin kaya sa puso namin talaga ngayon, kitang-kita ko po sa lahat na lahat kami gustong-gusto manalo,” said Alinsug, who also logged five digs and five receptions.

For Belen, it was worth the wait to end its decorated foes winning streak against NU.

“We’re very happy kasi hindi pa kami nananalo sa kanila simula nung last season so yung mindset talaga namin is matalo sila ngayon, na manalo kami ngayon na kailangang gawin yung best namin kasi hindi siya magiging madali kasi champion team yung La Salle eh,” said Belen.

The 5-foot-7 open spiker, who previously shared that she was dealing with a minor back issue, will just continue on fighting to help the Lady Bulldogs reclaim the throne.

“Before po kasi sa training, meron pa rin sakit. Pero as a psychology student, it’s all in the mind,” Belen said, with a smile.

“Kaya pag tinatanong ako ng coaches ko kung masakit likod ko, sinasabi ko na lang hindi. Feeling ko the more na iisipin ko na masakit, the more siya magiging hindrance sa paglalaro ko. So as a psychology student, it’s all in the mind. Yun po,” she added.

“Siguro, dahil na rin sa adrenaline, at na-feel ko yung support ng bawat isa sa amin. Kung may masakit man o wala, talagang ibinigay yung best. Hindi lang naman ako yung may nararamdaman sa katawan. Siyempre, yung iba meron ding masakit pero talagang nakita kong nag-perform nang maayos kanina,” she added.