By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs showed their dominance to defeat the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 25-13, 27-25, 25-15, in the do-or-die semis of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, May 8.
Mhicaela Belen led the way with 21 points, built on 16 attacks and five service aces to go with 14 excellent digs, while Sheena Toring added 13 markers, including six blocks, for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Syempre sobrang masaya going to the Finals again ‘yung Lady Bulldogs. Papunta na rin ulit sa goal ng team namin ‘yung sinasabi nga nilang redemption,” said NU head coach Norman Miguel.
The Lady Bulldogs, which are on their third consecutive finals appearance, will face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses at the start of the best-of-three title series at the same venue on Saturday, May 11.
“Alam naming hindi magiging madali ‘yung labanan sa finals na ito, so kailangan namin trabahuhin talaga siya, knowing na nagkaroon kami ng lapses. That’s why we lost to FEU nung Game 1,” Miguel said.
From a tight game early in the opening set, the Lady Bulldogs suddenly pulled away behind consecutive attacks from Belen, Toring and Erin Pangilinan for a dominant 25-13 victory.
The Lady Tamaraws started strong in the second frame to take a 13-7 lead, but it was quickly erased by the Lady Bulldogs, taking a 17-16 lead before engaging their opponents to a tight battle for a slim 27-25 set win.
The Lady Bulldogs went for the kill in the third set as they opened up a 15-9 advantage. The Lady Tamaraws tried to keep the match close, but NU relied on attacks from Belen and Toring to seal the semis win.
“Mas sinipagan lang namin this game,” Belen said in a post-game interview.
“Since ‘yung mindset namin mentally and physically nandoon, hindi kami nahirapan [against the Lady Tamaraws],” she added.
Chenie Tagaod led all the Lady Tamaraws’ scorers with nine points, Gerzel Petallo produced eight points, while Jean Asis and rookie Faida Bakanke got seven markers each./ASC, WDJ