Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon matched the best Finals scoring performance in the UAAP but it wasn’t enough to save National University from getting swept by newly-crowned Season 85 champion La Salle in the series.
Solomon left everything on the floor with a career-high 34 points in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 finals, tying Alyssa Valdez’s Finals scoring record when she willed Ateneo to beat La Salle in five sets in Game 2 of Season 78 on April 27, 2016 and forced a rubber match.
However, Solomon’s heroics went for naught as the Lady Bulldogs blew a two-set lead and succumbed the championship to the Angel Canino-led Lady Spikers with a 25-19, 25-23, 15-25, 17-25, 10-15 loss in front of more than 20,000 fans on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite getting dethroned, the sophomore opposite spiker remained proud of their run that ended up with a silver medal.
“I’m still proud of the result because I saw that my teammates really wanted to fight for this game,” said Solomon in Filipino.
Solomon was emotional during the postgame interview as they bid their farewell to senior players Princess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, and Joyme Cagande.
“I am proud of them. The way they handled us and molded our characters. The best thing we learn from them is to keep on fighting and never give up,” she said.
Aside from Solomon, NU coach Karl Dimaculangan also commended the whole effort of the team for putting up a fight despite losing starting middle blocker Sheena Toring, who suffered a partial ACL tear on her left knee in Game 1.
“The team is more balanced. Aly delivered in scoring but the others stepped up in non-scoring. It’s a team effort but Alyssa was the highest pointer, still a good job to her and everyone,” said Dimaculangan in Filipino.
Dimaculangan, who steered the Lady Bulldogs to a perfect title run that ended a 65-year drought last season, is taking their setback in stride, vowing to improve next season.
“We knew that even if we were up 2-0 it won’t be easy. I think the other team was more composed and they wanted it more than us. Congrats to La Salle and their coaching staff, coach Ramil (De Jesus). They worked hard this season,” he said.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to improve next season,” he added.