By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs got back on the winning track in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament after a 25-21, 30-32, 25-17, 25-19 triumph over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, March 20.
Evangeline Alinsug led the way with a career-high 24 points on 20 attacks, three aces and a block, along with 12 receptions, while Mhicaela Belen chipped in 21 markers, 14 receptions and eight digs.
They improved to a 6-2 record.
In the fourth set, the Fighting Maroons tried to fight back with back-to-back points to cut the deficit to 15-18, but Negrenses Arah Panique and Myrtle Escanlar, and Aishat Bello joined hands for six straight points for NU to reach match point, 24-15.
The Fighting Maroons still managed to score four consecutive points to cut the deficit to 19-24, but Bello wrapped up the victory for the Lady Bulldogs with a booming quick attack.
“‘Yung UP, talagang lumaban po sila, and talagang ipinakita po nila kung ano ‘yung kaya nilang gawin against us,” Belen said.
“Sa team po namin, slow start kami at ‘yung utak ng team medyo apektado pa nung talo sa La Salle [Lady Spikers],” she added.
Stephanie Bustrillo spearheaded the Fighting Maroons with 17 points, while Pling Baclay added 11 points, including a season-high nine blocks.
They dropped to a 1-7 record.
Meanwhile, Jonna Perdido’s crucial points in the fifth set helped the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses secure a narrow 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 26-28, 15-13 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
With the score deadlocked at 13-all in the fifth set, Perdido propelled the Golden Tigresses to match point with a down-the-line hit, and then sealed the hard-earned victory with a combination play.
Perdido concluded the game with 17 points, tallying 11 attacks, five blocks and a service ace, along with nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, as the Golden Tigresses extended their undefeated streak to eight matches.
Angeline Poyos led the scoring with 22 points before sustaining a knee injury late in the fourth set.
Regina Jurado contributed 19 points, while Cassie Carballo finished with 10 points and 26 excellent sets for UST./ASC, WDJ