By CARLO ANOLIN
National University made history after completing a 14-game sweep of the elims while Ateneo forced a playoff for the fourth and last semis berth with a crucial win in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament Thursday night, June 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In becoming the third school to sweep the elims in the Final Four era after La Salle and Ateneo, the Lady Bulldogs repeated over University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, 25-22, 29-27, 25-17. The 14-0 record was the best showing for NU since securing the second-seed back in Season 76 with a 12-2 record.
Ateneo, then led by Alyssa Valdez, was the last team to sweep the elimininations in Season 77 and eventually won the title against De La Salle.
The Tigresses, for their part, maintained their No. 3 spot and finished with a 9-5 slate.
Princess Robles led NU’s balanced attack with 13 points built on 10 spikes and, two blocks, and one service ace, Michaela Belen and Alyssa Solomon scored 12 markers apiece, and Sheena Toring chipped in 11 points.
“Sobrang masaya and thankful sa players,” said Lady Bulldogs head coach Karl Dimaculangan. “‘Yong feeling ko kasi before, siguro na-translate ko sa team kasi Season 71, noong player ako, na-feel ko rin ‘yong ganito na maka-sweep so sobrang saya na ngayon coach naman ako.”
NU’s win also enabled De La Salle (10-4), which earlier absorbed a 25-23, 17-25, 25-16, 26-24 defeat at the hands of Adamson, to get a firm grip of its second-seed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the stepladder.
Capping off Thursday’s quadruple-header, Ateneo fended off University of the Philippines, 19-25, 25-11, 25-18, 25-19, to force a playoff contention with Adamson.
The Blue Eagles and the Lady Falcons dispute the No. 4 spot anew heading into the Final Four as both squads share identical 8-6 records.
Faith Nisperos spearheaded the Eagles with 19 points on top of 16 attacks and one service ace while Alex Miner hammered down 17 markers powered by eight blocks. Vannie Gandler also scored 14 points while Erika Raagas had 12 points.
