By Mark Rey Montejo
At A Glance
National University reaffirmed its mastery over De La Salle University, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, to take Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, May 11.
NU Lady Bulldogs are one win away from winning their back-to-back UAAP titles. (UAAP Media)
NU Lady Bulldogs are one win away from winning their back-to-back UAAP titles. (UAAP Media)
National University reaffirmed its mastery over De La Salle University, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, to take Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, May 11.
Veterans Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug took charge on the offensive end for the Lady Bulldogs to deny the Lady Spikers’ attempt of extending the match and put Angel Canino’s 22-point effort to waste in front of the rapturous 15,192 crowd inside the Big Dome.
La Salle, though, had its break in the third set but eventually ran out of gas in the fourth no thanks to Solomon and Alinsug who led NU's counters that kept the Sherwin Meneses-mentored crew afloat.
Aside from extending its win streak to four against the girls from the Taft Avenue, the Sampaloc-based squad is now one win away from repeating as the women’s champion with Game 2 set on Wednesday, May 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
A win could give NU its third championship -- 5th overall -- in four years, while La Salle tries to bounce back to keep its 13th crown bid alive.
Sherwin Meneses, for his part, notched his first-ever victory in the finals in the collegiate ranks, and also a first versus La Salle’s long-time tactician Ramil de Jesus, who is coaching in his 21st finals appearance.
Alinsug took the spotlight as she pumped in 21 points, all attacks, while Belen and Solomon provided the offensive support off 19 and nine points, respectively.
Alexa Mata (7), Erin Pangilinan (6), and Arah Panique (5) also boosted NU’s scoring column with Lams Lamina, as expected, going splendid in her playmaking ways with 22 excellent sets.
Canino’s 22 points came with 13 excellent receptions, Shevana Laput had 16 points while Amie Provido added 10.
