Published by: Annika Howie Quizana
Date Published: March 1, 2025
Time Published: 3:33 PM
The defending champion, National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs swept De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers to extend their dominance, 3-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 87 Women’s Volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena, on February 16.
Lady Bulldogs team captain Bella Belen topped the score sheet with 14 points, including ten attacks, three aces, one block, and six receptions, alongside her teammate Alyssa Solomon, who finished with 13 points.
In an interview, Belen stated that the team agreed that right from the first game, they needed to come off strong since La Salle was a champion team.
"Trinabaho po talaga ng team, parang sa training pa lang. Kailangan yung pagtatyaga namin,“ said Belen.
Belen also added that the opponents, the Lady Spikers, were a tough one, so their team should be tougher in the match.
It was indeed a hard game on the first set as 23-all happened, but with swift attack executed by Sheena Toring of NU and an error made by La Salle’s Shevana Laput, the Lady Bulldogs took the first set.
In the second set, Solomon proved her skills on the court as the senior spiker, with her skills and their game plan in motion she made the score leap to 23-19.
In addition, Vange Alinsug, NU’s outside hitter who had a knee problem and had no choice but to sit out, returned to the court, shook off her cramps, and helped her team win the second set.
A service error from Amie Provido of La Salle paved the way for NU, and they successfully swept them.
“Syempre happy ako na nanalo kami. In five sets or three sets, pareho lang naman pero syempre three sets medyo mahirap gawin sa La Salle so happy kami kasi nakuha namin sa straight sets,” the new NU mentor, Sherwin Meneses said.
Meneses, aside from being the Lady Bulldogs’ new coach, still remained as the Creamline mentor, and also led Adamson University previously.
With the joy of their win, the fact that this is some of the seniors last season, such as Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon is inevitable as they have plans for their career already.
IMAGE SOURCE:
[1] Dukha III, A. (2025, February 16). UAAP women’s volleyball: Defending champion NU handles La Salle. Inquirer. https://sports.inquirer.net/608095/uaap-womens-volleyball-defending-champion-nu-handles-la-salle
REFERENCES:
[1] Anzures, R. (2025, February 16). UAAP: National U makes a statement sweep of La Salle to start title-retention campaign. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/2/16/nu-makes-a-statement-sweep-of-la-salle-to-start-title-retention-campaign-1837
[2] Micaller, B. (2025, February 16). NU sweeps La Salle in Sherwin Meneses' UAAP coaching return. GMA. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/volleyball/936411/uaap-season-87-wvb-nu-vs-la-salle-february-16-2025/story/
[3] Dukha III, A. (2025, February 16). UAAP women’s volleyball: Defending champion NU handles La Salle. Inquirer. https://sports.inquirer.net/608095/uaap-womens-volleyball-defending-champion-nu-handles-la-salle
[4] Inquirer (2025, February 16). NU star Alyssa Solomon says UAAP Season 87 is her last. https://sports.inquirer.net/608082/nu-star-alyssa-solomon-says-uaap-season-87-is-her-last
No comments:
Post a Comment