UAAP: Alyssa Solomon helps NU survive Adamson
NU Lady Bulldogs. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-National University had to weather Adamson’s fightback and survived its first protracted battle of the tournament, 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 15-10, on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Alyssa Solomon asserted herself at the net and pulled off a career-high 28 points and Michaela Belen had 20 attacks out of 23 points as the Lady Bulldogs kept their immaculate record two games into the season.
“I saw how our team fought today, but as much as possible I don’t want the match to go into five sets,” said Solomon on NU’s first scary five-setter of the tournament.
The defending champions never went through the limit when they swept all their games back in Season 84.
NU is now on a 20-game win streak dating back to 2020 before the pandemic struck. They are just steps closer to Ateneo’s 24 straight victories during the time of Alyssa Valdez.
“We were forced to play five sets, but this was a good experience for the team. At least this early, we will be able to determine the adjustments that we have to make,” said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Princess Robles added 13 points for the Lady Bulldogs while Camilla Lamina added 17 excellent sets before she delivered the game-winning ace at match point.
The Lady Falcons began snatching a set in the third, but not without the resistance that the Lady Bulldogs nearly pulled off.
Adamson raced to a 16-10 advantage on a well-grounded execution before Solomon almost single-handedly lifted NU back in contention.
Solomon scored 11 attacks on that set, a performance that went down the drain after the Lady Falcons survived the comeback with Kate Santiago putting on the finishing touches.
Adamson wasn’t done yet in the fourth frame, zooming ahead to 15-11 before Solomon and Robles made it a little bit thrilling.
Superb blocking, however, proved the key for the Lady Falcons with Rizza Cruz frustrating Solomon’s powerful assault at the net at set point.
NU put order back on its floor with the Lady Falcons trailing throughout the final set and Lamina extinguishing Adamson’s hopes with an ace that capped the two-hour and three-minute match.
Santiago led the Lady Falcons with 20 points, spiked with 17 attacks and Gayle Tubu chipped in 16 markers.
