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The NU Lady Bulldogs in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball clash against the UP Fighting Maroons. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — National University took care of business against University of the Philippines to keep its record unblemished.
The Lady Bulldogs swept the Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, during their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball clash on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Bella Belen posted 17 points, seven receptions, and four digs, Alyssa Solomon followed with 16, while Vange Alinsug had 11 points, six digs, and one reception for National U.
This is the fifth straight victory of the defending champions in as many games, but it did not come as easy as it looked on paper, especially with the fight that the Maroons showed in the last two frames.
"Yung second and third, buti naka-recover kami sa run ng UP," said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses of his squad. "Yung NU naman, mga seniors na sila, so ready na sila at hindi sila nagpapabaya."
Helping the Lady Bulldogs overcome their close encounter with the Fighting Maroons in the aforementioned sets were their advantages on attack points (46-38), blocks, (8-3), and aces (5-2).
However, for Belen and Solomon, what matters most for their squad is to avoid the complacency that they showed today.
"Yung pagiging consistent yung dapat hind mawala since malalakas kasi talaga yung kalaban," said Bella.
"Kailangan naming maging consistent at hindi maging kampante. Wala pa po kaming talo in five games, so kailangan in the next mas pulido pa kami. Ang challenge sa sarili namin is yung mga dapat namin pang i-improve para hindi mangyari yung matatalo kami," added Alyssa.
On the other hand, State U, which leaned on Kassay Doering and Kianne Olango’s 11 and 10 markers, respectively, fell to 2-4 as it absorbed its fourth consecutive loss.
This was despite their impressive performances on the defensive end, putting up advantages on digging (29-21), and receptions (21-16).
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