NU Lady Bulldogs are aheaded to the the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals anew. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
National University forged a Finals matchup against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament after a 25-13, 27-25, 25-15 revenge act against Far Eastern University on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After absorbing a stunning Game 1 sweep at the hands of the Lady Tamaraws, Bella Belen willed NU’s Finals bid with 21 points from 16 attacks and five aces while birthday celebrant Sheena Toring contributed 13 points, six coming from a game-high six blocks.
“Siyempre sobrang masaya na going to the finals again yung Lady Bulldogs. Parang papunta na rin sa goal ng team namin na sabi nga nila redemption from the start, yun talaga yung goal,” coach Norman Miguel said.
HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 86 volleyball Final Four May 8
But Miguel knows it won’t be easy from here on out with the idling Golden Tigresses waiting for them.
“Alam namin hindi magiging madali yung labanan sa finals na to. Talagang kailangan namin trabahuin talaga siya, knowing na nagkaroon kami ng mga lapses, that’s why we lost sa FEU nung Game 1,” he added.
NU Lady Bulldogs’ star Bella Belen during a UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Final Four game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Alyssa Solomon and captain Erin Pangilinan added nine points apiece to help the Lady Bulldogs to their third consecutive UAAP Finals appearance.
There were no traces of the Lady Tamaraws who shocked NU in Game 1 and forced the Lady Bulldogs to use their twice-to-beat incentive.
Chenie Tagaod only had nine points, Gerzel Petallo eight points and Faida Bakanke and Jean Asis seven.
The Lady Bulldogs stormed out of the gates and left FEU in the dust in the opening frame.
“I’m happy naman kasi gusto ko talaga bumawi. Since nung last game, pangit ng performance namin. Last game, ginawa ko talagang motivation yun. Tsaka hindi ako papayag na basta-basta lang kaming matatalo,” Toring said.
NU coach Norman Miguel, Sheena Toring, Alyssa Solomon, and Bella Belen after entering the Finals for the third straight time. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/owSxlFo3Xv
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 8, 2024
“For sure, next championship series, magpe-prepare talaga kami nang maayos. At sana sa iba sa team namin, mag-improve pa kami at prepared dapat kami sa championship,” she added.
The Lady Tamaraws tried to level the game with a better performance early in the second set, but NU refused to let FEU even the game and mounted a comeback courtesy of Solomon and Belen and tied the game at 17-all.
It was a back-and-forth-action from there before a service by Tagaod sailed out, giving NU the lead. Belen’s off the block hit moved it to match point and Toring defended Bakanke’s attack for a two-set lead.
NU carried that momentum to the decider and rushed to a 11-7 lead with Toring getting one of her blocks.
The Season 84 second best middle blocker did not stop there and with another block gave her crew a 22-14 lead before a deflating service ace. FEU committed an attack error before Alinsug soared and launched a kill from back row ended the match.
“Happy kami na nakabawi kami sa FEU at nasa finals na kami, pero hindi kami titigil porket pasok na kami sa finals, kasi hindi pa naman tapos yung goal namin at hindi pa siya nakukuha,” Belen said.
“Masaya kami ngayon, pero balik ulit sa training bukas kasi for sure, yung kalaban namin, nagpe-prepare. Pero siyempre, yung preparation namin, mas lalo pa naming sisipagan para pagdating ng finals talagang ready kami,” Belen added.