By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug shone offensively anew and helped steer National University to a second round sweep of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament with a rout of Far Eastern University on Wednesday, April 24, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs ended up with a 12-2 card in the standings to arm themselves with the first twice-to-beat edge heading into the Final Four – thanks to a 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 win.
The remaining bonus will be contested University of Santo Tomas and defending champion La Salle on Saturday, April 27. Both are sporting similar 11-2 marks.
After picking up two losses in the first round at the hands of UST and La Salle, NU coped brilliantly to keep a clean slate just in time before its semifinal campaign begins.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws saw their five-game winning streak snap to finish with a 9-5 card in the No. 4 spot.
Solomon and Belen posted 13 and 12 points, respectively, after unloading 12 kills each in the balanced attack.
Sophomore Alinsug added 11 markers all on attacks made.
NU showed no sign of letup from the opening set until endgame as it showcased its increasingly solid confidence.
“May mga lapses pa rin sa connection. Minsan ‘yung setter and spikers nagkakaroon pa ng errors. Most importantly, ‘yung retention ng kanilang physical condition, their health. Especially [with the weather] sobrang init. Kailangan mo na lang sila [players] intindihin sa sobrang pagod,” said NU head coach Norman Miguel.
Rookie Faida Bakanke led FEU’s onslaught with a game-high 14 points in the losing cause.
