THE NATIONAL University (NU) Lady Bulldogs can’t seem to miss, stomping their way to a complete sweep over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, to continue their winning streak on Sunday.
One squad keeps moving forward, while the other keeps sliding down. At this time, it appears that no other team can stop the defending champions, who have continued to dominate throughout the first round.
As the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball progresses, National U ages like a fine wine. They won their fifth straight match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, defeating UP 25-13, 25-23, 25-22.
The Fighting Maroons, on the other hand, can’t seem to get over the hump, falling farther down the standings after suffering their fourth straight loss in the opening round after starting the season so well.
Comeback Denied
The first set between the Lady Bulldogs and the Fighting Maroons was rather lopsided. However, the Diliman-based squad attempted to recover and mount a comeback during the second set.
After trailing 20-23, UP’s Bienne Bansil and Kassy Doering scored three straight points to cut the deficit to one, only for Bansil to serve hard straight outside for NU’s 25-23 victory in the second.
Meanwhile, in the third set, the Jhocson-based team saw their 22-16 lead vanish as Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Doering attempted to bring the Fighting Maroons back to draw the game at 22.
However, NU made sure to end the game with three straight points from Alyssa Solomon, Celine Marsh, and Erin Pangilinan, which came from a crosscourt kill, down-the-line hit, and a block, respectively, for the NU triumph.
Lady Bulldogs’ big three dominated the squad, as usual, with Bella Belen scoring 17 points, seven receptions, and four digs, Solomon scoring 16, and Vange Alinsug adding 11 points, six digs, and one reception.
On the other side, UP’s American middle blocker Doering led the squad in scoring. She scored 11 points based on eight attacks and three blocks. Meanwhile, Olango added her own ten points.
Champion’s Composure
Despite an unscathed 3-0 victory, the defending champs still faced a tough battle. Which is why NU head coach Sherwin Meneses was pleased to see his seniors lead the team to victory.
“Happy naman syempre, nakuha namin ‘yung panalo. Pero syempre yung situation nung second and third [set] magkaiba kasi. Naka-recover din kami doon sa run ng UP,” Meneses said.
“Pero knowing NU naman, mga seniors na sila, so alam na rin naman nila yung gagawin nila,” the returning UAAP coach added, talking about the composure showed by his players.
The outgoing Belen believes that the key to their rookies’ success has been their confidence, emphasizing the importance of them and the squad playing naturally.
”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,” Belen said during the postgame interview.
“Minsan, masyado silang maraming iniisip. Siguro nga, dahil pressured or dahil dikit yung laban kanina. Then yun lang, sinabi ko lang na kailangan land nila i-enjoy kasi binigyan sila ng opportunity to play,” she went on to say.
Nonetheless, NU will meet the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday at the same venue, while UP will attempt to break their losing streak, facing the same opponent on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
