By NIKOLE JAVIER
It didn’t take long for National University to regain the respect of its rivals as the Lady Bulldogs turned back a feisty University of the Philippines, 25-21, 30-32, 25-17, 25-19, to jumpstart their second round campaign in the
UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win – hard as it was – enabled the Lady Bulldogs to redeem themselves after a five-set loss to La Salle last week. They improved their record to 6-2.
Unlike in their first round encounter when the Lady Bulldogs were dominant from start to finish, this time they encountered stiff resistance from the Fighting Maroons.
UP even took the marathon second set that was marked long and fierce rallies.
Sophomore Vange Alinsug showed the way for the Lady Bulldogs with 24 points built on 20 attacks, one block and three service aces.
Former Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player Bella Belen was equally impressive, finishing with 21 points highlighted by 18 attacks made that went with three services aces.
Steph Bustrillo led the way for UP with 17 points, a fitting follow-up to her 24-point performance in the team’s breakthrough win over University of the East Lady Warriors over the weekend that snapped the ir17-game losing skid.
