National University completed its historic run in the UAAP Season 84 with a 16-0 sweep and a 2-0 rout of De La Salle in the Finals to capture its first women's volleyball title in 65 years.
The Lady Bulldogs never dropped a single set against the Lady Spikers, from the eliminations up to the Finals, as they eked out a 25-15, 25-15, 25-22 victory in dominant fashion in front of a strong 12,621 crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday night, June 21.
Alyssa Solomon, the league's Best Opposite Hitter, led all scorers with 18 points built on 15 spikes and three blocks, while rookie-Most Valuable Player Michaela Belen fired 16 markers off 13 spikes and three blocks.
Ivy Lacsina added eight points while Princess Robles, who was hailed Finals MVP, had six markers apart from her 15 excellent digs.
Best Libero Jen Nierva also had 19 excellent digs while Camilla Lamina tossed 14 excellent sets.
After making quick work of the first two sets, NU had to buck its slow start in the third frame as De La Salle showed some resistance and led mostly throughout the period.
The Jhocson-based squad heaved a sigh of relief after a 20-20 deadlock after Jyne Soreno committed a costly net touch violation.
Things went spiral for De La Salle at that point as Erin Pangilinan, who was subbed in down the stretch, delivered when it mattered the most for NU alongside Ivy Lacsina with a crucial block of Alleiah Malaluan for a 21-20 lead.
Pangilinan soared from the right wing and hammered down a through-the-block hit before back-to-back errors from the Lady Spikers enabled the Lady Bulldogs to reach championship point.
De La Salle fought for dear life and scored two straight points but Thea Gagate's last service went too wide which easily paved the way for NU's third UAAP title.
Gagate paced the Lady Spikers with eight points while Malaluan had seven markers.