Defending champion National University took down Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, to strengthen its fight for the No. 2 spot in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday, April 16, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Bulldogs climbed 8-3 in the standings to assure themselves at least a playoff spot and rejoin the Adamson Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the three-way tie of the second seed.
Likewise, the NU win paved the way for top seed De La Salle Lady Spikers (9-1) to clinch the first Final Four spot, while booting out the Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-7) from contention in the process, the first time they will be missing out on the semifinals since Season 71.
NU brushed off a slow opening set before turning back FEU in the third set.
Alyssa Solomon carried out a team-high 18 points off 17 attacks and one block, while Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
*Alyssa Solomon of the NU Lady Bulldogs. (UAAP Media)*
Tied at 21-all in the third set, Jov Fernandez went off-the-block before Solomon’s attack error gave FEU a two-point lead. The Lady Tamaraws then proceeded to completely squandered the slim advantage after committing back-to-back errors to put the match in its final deadlock of 23-all. Belen and Cess Robles took turns hammering down a crosscourt hit to finish off FEU’s determined run. Not one Lady Tamaraw breached the double digit mark, with Chenie Tagaod and Fernandez only tallying seven points each in the losing effort. FEU, which slid 5-6 in the standings, is on the brink of elimination.
*Alyssa Solomon of the NU Lady Bulldogs. (UAAP Media)*
Tied at 21-all in the third set, Jov Fernandez went off-the-block before Solomon’s attack error gave FEU a two-point lead. The Lady Tamaraws then proceeded to completely squandered the slim advantage after committing back-to-back errors to put the match in its final deadlock of 23-all. Belen and Cess Robles took turns hammering down a crosscourt hit to finish off FEU’s determined run. Not one Lady Tamaraw breached the double digit mark, with Chenie Tagaod and Fernandez only tallying seven points each in the losing effort. FEU, which slid 5-6 in the standings, is on the brink of elimination.