NU downs UP, sweeps first round
National University swept the first round of the elimination round capped by a 25-10, 25-20, 25-15 routing of University of the Philippines while Adamson returned in the win column after whipping the winless University of the East, 25-23, 25-20, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City yesterday.
The trio of Michaela Belen, team captain Princess Robles, and Ivy Lacsina served as their scoring machine as they combined for 36 out of the Lady Bulldogs' 75 total points.
Belen fired 13 points all coming from spikes, Robles scored 12 markers off 11 attacks and a block, while Lacsina added 11 points with two service aces for NU, who had its best elimination round so far since its early 6-1 records achieved in Seasons 76 and 80.
"Kailangan din namin itong panalo na to going to second round kasi momentum namin 'to para ma-motivate lalo 'yong team at makapag-prepare pa kami para sa mas mahirap na games lalo na sa second round," said Lady Bulldogs head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
"Bago sa amin 'to. Bago sa akin na 'yong team namin is bata pero 'yon (first round sweep) kailangan namin para ma-motivate kami lalo na sa preparation namin for the next round. Alam namin 'yong ibang teams mas marami nang adjustment nangyari and familiarity sa opponents kaya kailangan namin mas mag-prepare pa."
The Lady Maroons had their best shot at redemption in the second set after only trailing by three points in the latter parts, 23-20. But Robles and Erin Pangilinan made sure to end things swiftly as they connived for back-toback attacks heading into the third set.
After a strong 6-1 start in the third frame, UP crumbled as NU led by as many as 10 points to pull away for good, 21-11, and never looked back at that point for the win and the sweep.