MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP women's volleyball championship is back in Sampaloc.
The National University Lady Bulldogs asserted their mastery and clinched the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament title with a Game 2 close-out win over the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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This is the fourth total championship for NU after Seasons 16, 19 and 84.
Finals Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon led the Lady Bulldogs with 27 points. Season MVP Bella Belen chipped in 19.
After grinding out a tough third-set victory to go up 2-1, the Lady Bulldogs bared their fangs and jumped to an early lead that they did not relinquish.
Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula tried to tow UST back, but timely points by Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug and Bella Belen did not allow the Tigresses to claw back.
The lead grew to as much as seven points, 21-14, with a Solomon attack.
An Em Banagua quick cut the lead to six, 15-21, but a double touch by UST took the point back.
After an error by NU gave UST its last point of the season, 16-22, Belen powered in back-to-back points to put the Lady Bulldogs to the championship point.
A Sheena Toring attack brought back the title to Jhocson street.
Alinsug added 13 points, while Toring produced 10. Lams Lamina was steady with 17 excellent sets.
Gula, who stepped up for the Rookie of the Year Angeline Poyos, had 18 points. Perdido poured in 14 markers, while Reg Jurado and Em Banagua had 13 each.
The explosive Poyos, battling an ankle injury, started for the Espana-based squad but scored just one point.
NU recorded 13 blocks compared to UST's six. They also had five service aces.
NU thus secured a double-victory in volleyball, with its men's team also bringing home the title by edging the UST Golden Spikers earlier in the day.