S87 Women's Volleyball Finals: NU takes game 1 vs DLSU, 3-1

Games on Wednesday

(SM Mall of Asia Arena)

Finals Game 2

1 p.m. - NU vs FEU (Men)

5 p.m. - DLSU vs NU (Women)

National University regrouped after an uncharacteristic performance fall in the third to take down De La Salle University in Game 1 of the Finals, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, and inch closer to a second straight championship in UAAP Women’s Volleyball on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

With 15,192 fans packed at the historic Big Dome for the Season 87 Finals, the Lady Spikers did not bow down easily after losing the first two sets, utilizing a massive 17-6 blast in the third to extend the match. 

But the Lady Bulldogs showcased what champions are made of by not losing a bit of confidence despite the lopsided third-frame loss. 

With La Salle still fighting and just within three, 15-18, Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon took it upon themselves to widen the gap for NU. 

The duo combined in their 7-2 finisher with Alinsug hammering the final two points to give the Lady Bulldogs the 1-0 edge in the Finals after two hours and five minutes.

“Yung game naman hindi natin masabi, talagang yung situation sa third set kailangan lang naming tanggapin then bawi ng fourth set. Yun naman ang pinakamahalaga eh yung makarecover ka,” said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses. 

("We can't really say much about the game, we just had to accept what happened in the third set and bounce back in the fourth set. What’s most important is that we were able to recover.”)

NU aims for its third crown in four seasons and the first back-to-back in school history on Wednesday, 5 p.m., at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

It could be the last hurrah of NU's core led by Bella Belen and Solomon, who have been together since Nazareth School high school days.

"Malaking bagay ang chemistry, lalo na sa volleyball," said Belen.

("Chemistry is a big factor, especially in volleyball.”)

Double substitute partners Abe Pono and Arah Panique fueled the Lady Bulldogs turnaround in the second set, leading their 10-2 blast to flip a 12-14 deficit to a 22-16 margin to move a set away from the win before collapsing in the third. 

“Up kami ng two sets and then nakuha ng La Salle yung third. Sabi ko lang na kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan every point kasi hindi ibibigay sa amin basta-basta yung game, kailangan namin paghirapan,” said reigning MVP Belen, who posted 19 points, 15 digs, and 10 receptions. 

("We were up by two sets, and then La Salle took the third. I just told them that we need to work for every point because the game won’t be handed to us easily, we have to work hard for it.”)

Alinsug led NU in the victory, signifying that she’s ready to carry the torch in the next seasons with a team-best 21 points. 

Solomon added nine points, while Alexa Mata and Erin Pangilinan chimed in seven and six points, respectively, in the game that Shaira Jardio had a masterclass in defense with 28-of-42 excellent receptions and 18-of-30 excellent digs.

The Lady Bulldogs pounded the Lady Spikers in attacks with 15 more, 62-47, more than enough to compensate for being out-blocked, 4-7, and committing more errors, 22-18. 

Season 85 MVP Angel Canino paced La Salle with 22 points, 13 receptions, and four digs, while Shevana Laput backed her up with 16 points on 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. 

Amie Provido also breached double figures with 10 points.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team