The trio of Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug shone brightly anew as they steer National University to a second round sweep of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament with a rout of Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22, on Wednesday, April 24, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Lady Bulldogs ended up with a 12-2 card in the standings to arm themselves with the first twice-to-beat edge heading into the Final Four.

After picking up two losses in the first round at the hands of University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle, NU coped brilliantly to keep a clean slate just in time before its semifinal campaign begins. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws saw their five-game winning streak snapped to finish with a 9-5 card in the No. 4 spot. 

Solomon and Belen posted 13 and 12 points, respectively, after unloading 12 kills each in the balanced attack.

Sophomore Alinsug, for her part, added 11 markers all on attacks made. 

NU showed no sign of letup from the opening set until endgame as it showcased its increasingly solid confidence. 

“May mga lapses pa rin sa connection. Minsan ‘yung setter and spikers nagkakaroon pa ng errors. Most importantly, ‘yung retention ng kanilang physical condition, their health. Especially [with the weather] sobrang init. Kailangan mo na lang sila [players] intindihin sa sobrang pagod,” said NU head coach Norman Miguel. 

The playoff-bound FEU, meanwhile, leaned on rookie Faida Bakanke in the onslaught as she registered a game-high 14 points in the losing cause.

Another important game is on the line as La Salle and UST slug it out on Saturday, April 27, for the remaining twice-to-beat advantage.