Alyssa Solomon had a triumphant return as defending champion National University dispatched already-eliminated Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four Sunday, April 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Solomon, who sat out the last two games due to a minor left ankle sprain, provided the spark the Lady Bulldogs had been missing with a 12-point performance -- highlighted with a seven-point output in the opening frame -- steering them to one of the two coveted twice-to-beat advantages and locking up the No. 1 seed in the eight-team tournament.

The win lifted NU to an 11-2 record, giving them crucial momentum heading into their Season 86 Finals rematch against the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, April 27, at the same venue to wrap up the elimination round.

“Super excited ako na makasama sila ulit, lalo na kanina sa game. Pinakita lang namin kung ano yung pinagttrainingan namin over sa mga nakaraang araw. Very happy na nakabalik ako,” Solomon said.

Ateneo showed signs of life in the third set, overcoming an early 15-12 deficit with a backrow hit from AC Miner, a quick attack from Yvana Sulit, and a net touch by Abe Pono to trim the gap to 16-15. But NU responded with three consecutive points from Nigerian opposite hitter Aisha Bello to restore a 20-16 cushion.

Two attack errors from Solomon allowed the Blue Eagles to stay within striking distance at 21-19, but the Lady Bulldogs closed the door with an off-the-block kill from two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, a Zey Pacia attack error, a crosscourt spike from Solomon, and a block from Erin Pangilinan to complete the sweep and secure their second straight win in just 85 minutes.

Earlier in the match, NU seized firm control with a blistering 19-9 start in the second set, fueled by a quick hit from Pangilinan, a clever tip from Belen, and a strong attack from Chammy Maaya to take a commanding two-set lead.

“Napakahalaga na naghhelp yung team, lalo na pa-semis na, so ‘yon yung pinakaimportante kasi syempre, mahihirap na yung mga games. Happy kami and thankful na magiging okay yung takbo namin sa remaining games,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses said.

Belen achieved an all-around output of 16 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces with 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs, while Pangilinan provided 11 points on seven attacks and three blocks.

Maaya added nine points on five attacks and three blocks, while Vange Alinsug also tallied nine points on seven attacks with five excellent digs.

Camilla Lamina dished out 17 excellent sets, while Shaira Jardio tallied seven excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

Meanwhile, the loss marked Ateneo’s fourth consecutive defeat, dropping them to 4-9 in the standings with one game left in the preliminaries—a matchup against the winless UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, April 26, also at the Araneta Coliseum.

A win against UE would allow the Blue Eagles to finish with a 5-9 record, identical to their Season 86 campaign, and narrowly avoiding a repeat of their worst finish in recent history—a 4-10 outing in Season 85.

No Blue Eagle finished in double-digits as De Guzman and AC Miner paced Ateneo with nine points each, while rookie middle blocker Jihan Chuatico chipped in five points on four attacks and one block in the losing effort.