By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs recovered from a set down to defeat the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 16.
Negrense libero Shaira Jardio showcased her defensive prowess with 25 excellent receptions and 20 excellent digs as the Lady Bulldogs completed a perfect 7-0 sweep in the first round of eliminations.
Alyssa Solomon led the Lady Bulldogs with 24 points.
Mhicaela Belen contributed a triple-double of 19 points, 17 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions, while Evangeline Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan added 17 and 11 points, respectively, for NU.
After surviving the fourth set, the Lady Bulldogs opened the deciding set with a 6-3 lead behind early hits from Solomon and Belen before they widened it to 11-5 courtesy of block touch hits by Solomon.
The Golden Tigresses still tried to close the gap at 8-12, but rookie Kyla Cordora committed a service error on the next play.
The Lady Bulldogs ended the match with hits from Alinsug and Solomon.
“Masaya kami at na-experience namin ‘yung ganung labanan kasi hindi rin naman magpapatalo ang UST. Happy ako at naibawi namin mula sa 1-2 deficit and, hopefully, ma-polish pa namin ‘yung mga lapses namin,” NU head coach Sherwin Meneses said.
Regina Jurado finished with 16 points.
Angeline Poyos contributed 13 points, while Negrense Cassie Carballo posted a double-double of 10 points and 27 excellent sets as the Golden Tigresses fell to a 5-2 record.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons halted a four-game losing skid with a 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10 victory over the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
Niña Ytang led UP with 20 points, including three blocks and two aces, while Irah Anika Jaboneta added 19 markers, scoring seven in the decisive fifth set.
Negrense Joan Marie Monares and Kianne Olango chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the Fighting Maroons snapped a four-game skid to improve to 3-4./ASC, WDJ