National University slowed down rookie sensation Angge Poyos and avenged its first round loss to University of Santo Tomas in the biggest of ways.
Playing ferociously this time, the Lady Bulldogs handed the Golden Tigresses their first defeat of UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20, in front of 10,947 fans inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday evening.
Though held to just 18 of 46 attacks, Poyos still led UST in points. She also tallied 14 excellent receptions.
Overall, she was outshone by Season 84 MVP Bella Belen of NU.
“I’m very happy lang po kasi lahat sa amin talagang ginusto manalo sa laro na ito. Lagi ko kasing sinasabi sa teammates ko kanina, wala pa silang talo so mas masarap manalo,” said Belen, who dropped a game-high 24 on 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace to go with 13 digs and 10 receptions.
NU hiked its record to 7-2, but remained at third – still a game behind league-leading UST, which fell to 8-1. Currently at second is De La Salle University at 7-1.
With UST’s defeat, there would be a traditional Final Four, thus making the race for the top two positions more exciting.
Wounded up losing a tight first set, a different Lady Bulldogs squad emerged from the huddle, firing howitzers and chasing and saving the ball like there were no more tomorrow.
Then NU just responded to every UST run in the third frame as Vange Alinsug and Belen connived to take the 2-0 lead, 25-21.
The Golden Tigresses tried to rally back in the fourth with Regina Jurado leading the way but Alyssa Solomon retaliated for the Lady Bulldogs, nailing a drop ball and a service ace to finish the game in two hours and 18 minutes.
“Before kasi ma-gstart yung season gustong-gusto talaga namin manalo pero hindi namin inexpect na ganon yung performance namin nung first game sa UST so ngayon, bumunga naman yung pinaghihirapan namin kahit minsan sa training may nalulungkot pero sobrang saya ko po ngayon,” said an emotional Alinsug, who made 18 points on 14 spikes, three aces, and a block.
Solomon also finished in double figures with 17 points as Shaira Jardio shone defensively with 23 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
With its first loss of the season, UST fail to match its finest start of 9-0 during its 2006-07 championship run.
NU will now shift its focus during the Holy Week break to University of the East, which it will face on April 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Jurado was the only other UST player in double digits with 11 as head coach Kungfu Reyes tried to find the right combination throughout the game by using all 14 players.
The Golden Tigresses will seek to rebound on April 3 as well against Adamson University Lady Falcons.
