Lady Bulldogs shoot down Lady Falcons
National University delivered a series of strong finishing kicks to pull off a 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 win over Adamson University in Season 86 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Main gunners Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen took turns hammering the Lady Falcons to finish with 17 and 15 points, respectively, and help the Lady Bulldogs tally their second win.
NU gained a spot in the second spot with De La Salle University and Far Eastern University and improved its record to 2-1 after beating Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday.
“We somehow made up for our past miscues after winning in three sets for the first time in the first round. Hopefully, we sustain our good physical condition and mindset,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel said.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University regained its groove as it booked a 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 win over University of the Philippines in the men’s division.
King Mangulabnan came off the bench and orchestrated the Blue Eagles’ balanced offense with 17 excellent sets leading to four players in double figures.
“We’re very happy that we were able to bounce back today coming off a very bad game against NU last time. I’m very happy that everyone stepped up today and everybody did well, especially those who came off the bench,” Ateneo head coach Timmy Sto. Tomas said.
The Fighting Maroons chased the third set lead of Ateneo, 19-14, to tie it at 21 but Cyrus de Guzman and Ken Batas rallied for the Blue Eagles to finish the game in 76 minutes.
Like in the first two periods where NU pulled away late, Erin Pangilinan, Vangie Alinsug, and Belen teamed up to turn a 21-18 affair into a 25-20 clincher.
Alinsug dropped 12 points, Pangilinan got eight, while Shaira Jardio took care of defense with 16 excellent receptions and nine digs.
May Ann Nuique and AA Adolfo supplied nine points apiece as the Lady Falcons fell to 1-2 to share the fifth spot with University of the East.
NU will seek to make it three wins in a row on Saturday when it collides with University of the Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Arena while Adamson will be back on Sunday against UE.