By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers bowed to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night, March 23.
Negrense Angel Anne Canino finished with 15 points, on 14 attacks and a block, to go with 21 excellent receptions and four excellent digs as the Lady Spikers dropped to a 5-3 record.
Mhicaela Belen scored 23 points, including 17 attacks, four blocks and two service aces, along with 17 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs, helping the Lady Bulldogs maintain their perfect record of 8-0.
Alyssa Solomon contributed 19 points, comprising 17 attacks, one block and one ace.
Evangeline Alinsug added 11 points for the Lady Bulldogs, which swept the Lady Spikers during their first-round encounter, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18.
Holding a 19-17 lead late in the fourth set, the Lady Bulldogs surged ahead following an attack from Belen and three consecutive errors by the Lady Spikers, bringing the score to 23-17.
The Lady Spikers responded with an attack from Shane Raterta, narrowing the gap to 18-23, but consecutive attacks from Solomon and Arah Panique secured the victory for the Lady Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws renewed their mastery over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses with a 25-22, 26-24, 17-25, 26-24 victory.
Faida Bakanke finished with 22 points on 18 attacks, two blocks and two service aces, to go with five excellent digs as the Lady Tamaraws climbed to third spot in the standings with a 5-3 win-loss record.
Gerzel Petallo added 12 points, 15 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
Jazlyn Ellarina contributed 12 markers for FEU, which also prevailed over UST in the first round of eliminations, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, and 25-20.
Regina Jurado top-scored with 20 points.
Mabeth Hilongo added 17 markers, while Angeline Poyos was held to just 14 markers as the Golden Tigresses dropped to a 5-3 record./ASC, WDJ