By NIKOLE JAVIER
National University bucked a slow start before rediscovering its winning touch to thump University of the Philippines, 18-25, 25-17, 25-11, 25-11, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs, who needed an extra set to keep the Fighting Maroons away, bounced back from their disappointing five-set loss to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses last March 4 after seeing their 20-game win streak come to an end.
Sheena Toring led the defending champion with 14 points which included six blocks, while Evangelina Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon chipped in 13 markers apiece.
Team captain Cess Robles also added 11 points as NU improved 3-1 in the standings.
NU was caught off guard in the opening set as UP’s 15-8 lead would turn into a 25-18 set win.
The Lady Bulldogs broke out of the second and final deadlock in the fourth set of 9-all with a blistering 16-2 run which the Fighting Maroons couldn’t find an answer to.
"Sabi ko nga needed bounce back win talaga kanina. Kasi from a loss na siguro even 'yong confidence, maybe naapektuhan din sa UST na nanghinayang kaming lahat. But ito nagawa naman namin to so sana magtuluy-tuloy tong panalo namin na to and madala pa namin sa susunod na laro," said NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Stephanie Bustrillo, who scored the set-clinching win with a crosscourt kill in the first set, paced the Fighting Maroons with 13 points as they slid 1-3 in the standings.