THE UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament final four is now complete. However, the race to the top two continues to tighten as the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs defeated the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers for the first time this season.
In front of around 11,400 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the finals rematch between two UAAP powerhouse teams did not disappoint. The Lady Bulldogs dominated the match at 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, and 25-22.
Taft’s towers could not contain Vange Alinsug, who sank 22 points on 20 attacks, one block, and an ace to help the NU Lady Bulldogs win their seventh consecutive game.
“Sobrang happy ko po talaga since gusto namin itong mangyari ngayon. Simula pa kagabi ‘yun na ‘yung pinaguusapan namin kaya sa puso namin talaga ngayon, kitang-kita ko po sa lahat na lahat kami gustong-gusto manalo,” said Alinsug.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Fan favorite and Season 84 women’s volleyball MVP Bella Belen also contributed 14 points, 14 outstanding receptions and seven digs, while Alyssa Solomon added 13 points.
“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 kailangang gawin ‘yung best namin kasi hindi siya magiging madali kasi champion team yung La Salle eh,” said Belen.
With Angel Canino out for the third game in a row, Shevana Laput came up huge but it wasn’t enough to earn the victory. She led the Lady Spikers with 21 points, all on attacks, while Thea Gagate added 12 points and five blocks.
Updated standings
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses remain on top of the standings with a 10-2 record, followed by the NU Lady Bulldogs with the same record, the DLSU Lady Spikers with a 9-2 win-loss record, and the FEU Lady Tamaraws at fourth place with 7-4.
The Lady Tamaraws secured their return to the final four after defeating the top-seeded Golden Tigresses in a gut-wrenching, 3-2 five-setter on Saturday, April 13.
The Morayta-based squad will continue to build momentum as they face the UE Lady Warriors, UP Fighting Maroons, and NU Lady Bulldogs in their remaining elimination-round games.
UST and NU still have two games on their schedules. The Golden Tigresses will also face the Lady Warriors and defending champion DLSU Lady Spikers to determine their final standing.
While the Lady Bulldogs aim for the twice-to-beat advantage, they will face the Adamson Lady Falcons and FEU in the Final Four.
The Taft-based squad will face Adamson, Ateneo Blue Eagles and the España squad to complete the elimination round.
Even though these four teams have clinched their spots in the final four, their upcoming games will still be critical in determining who will have the most comfortable postseason place.
The UAAP volleyball action will surely heat up as most teams are peaking at the appropriate time to pull off some of the most surprising upsets.
