MANILA, Philippines – Fresh off a stunning loss to underdog UP in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball, defending champion NU is back in the winners’ circle after taking down feisty FEU in a back-and-forth four-setter, 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18, at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 30.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs stayed on track to take the first Final Four berth with a 9-1 record, all alone on top at two games ahead of No. 2 La Salle (6-3). The Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, slid to third with the loss behind the Lady Spikers at 6-4 and just ahead of No. 4 UST (5-4).
Reigning Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon brought the pain to FEU, figuratively and literally with her facial hits, with a season-best 30-point explosion on 26 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace, while reigning two-time season MVP Bella Belen scattered 18 points, 14 digs, and 13 excellent receptions.
Unsung hero Shaira Jardio, meanwhile, finally got a share of the spotlight with a huge defensive line of 27 digs and 12 excellent receptions, as reigning Best Setter Lams Lamina tossed 30 excellent sets — her second 30-set game of the season after tallying 33 just two weeks prior against UST.
“We’re thankful that we recovered from last game, that’s what’s always important, to recover from a loss and move on to start again,” NU head coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino. “We have to start again to reach that twice-to-beat [Final Four advantage].”
“There are a lot of games left and we’re just focused on what we’re doing well as a team. Every team has been reading the opposition well, so we have to always be prepared.”
Taking a 2-1 lead after contrasting 26-24 finishes in the second and third sets, NU stayed behind early in the fourth as FEU aimed to force a deciding fifth frame with a small 8-7 lead.
The Lady Tamaraws’ fuel ran out right after, however, as the Lady Bulldogs rocketed ahead with a game-changing 10-1 rally to mount a 19-10 separation thanks to a Solomon-powered barrage.
Not even an 8-2 FEU response to get within three, 21-18, made a difference in the end, as NU simply locked in one last time with a quick 4-0 blitz coming from four different players to wrap a bow on the match for good.
Faida Bakanke paced the loss with 21 points as Tine Ubaldo tallied 25 excellent sets. Jean Asis scored 16 while rising middle blocker and former NU reserve Jaz Ellarina churned out 15 points on 10 attacks and 5 blocks against her old team. – Rappler.com