National U tears UE to shreds, but Lady Bulldogs refuse to look too far ahead to titanic clash with Lady Spikers

While National University (NU) and Adamson University are now standing in the same position after quickly demolishing their challengers on Sunday, the Lady Bulldogs prefer to get ahead rather than shake as they worry about the upcoming match against undefeated La Salle.

“We’ve seen that we haven’t really enjoyed ourselves in past games, so we said to ourselves ‘why don’t we bring ourselves back, the old NU that just loves to play on the field?”’ League MVP Bella Belen said after the Lady Bulldogs beat Eastern University. (UE) who was unlucky, 25-23, 25-9, 25-12, at the Philsports Arena in season 85 eliminated the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

Currently tied with the Lady Falcons for second place at 4-1, the defending champions will face the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws (2-3) first before finishing the first round against the Lady Spikers (4). -0).

It’s a matchup that many have been waiting for, and it takes place on March 22nd, but the Lady Bulldogs and their coaching staff refuse to be drawn early.

“I’ve talked to the team and told them we’re going to take it one game at a time,” NU coach Karl Dimaculangan said. “We will prepare for FEU first and not think about La Salle.”

Belen stormed back with 13 points after the powerful outside hitter was matched up against University of the Philippines (UP) recently, while Alyssa Solomon finished with 15 points, highlighted by 14 kills.

After the lone loss inflicted by the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses broke their 20-game winning streak two weeks ago, the Lady Bulldogs suddenly groped against the Lady Maroons next. But there was no sign of struggle against UE.

“In this game, we just played as a team. We brought here what we practiced and just enjoyed being there,” said Belen, who had 11 tackles and seven receptions.

Camilla Lamina posted an impressive 17 sets and libero Jennifer Nierva, who was also used sparingly against UP, contributed seven digs and six receptions.

A rude couple

Solomon and Belen ruthlessly attacked the UE defense in the second set, and it didn’t help that the Lady Warriors couldn’t get their act together due to mistakes.

“Before we think about La Salle, we have to take care of business against FEU first,” Dimaculangan said.

Adamson, meanwhile, will lock horns with the Lady Spikers next before closing out the first round against the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons (1-4). The Lady Falcons, too, just want to savor the moment before thinking about La Salle.

“I always tell the girls that the toughest competition is ourselves. If we overcome our fears, our anxieties, and do what we do in practice, we will be good,” Adamson coach Jerry Yee said after defeating Ateneo Lady 25 -18, 25-23, 25-19. Blue Eagles to win three straight.

Ateneo continued to slide

Trisha Tubu was all over the floor, pooling together 23 points built around 22 attacks and an ace while Kate Santiago also shined with 11 kills and nine digs for the Lady Falcons, who are now playing three games.

“We trust each other as a team and just have fun out there. We can achieve more if we play regular games and trust each other,” Tubu said.

Faith Nisperos had 17 points, including 16 attacks, and Vanessa Gandler added nine points while Roma Doromal contributed nine digs and 15 receptions for the Lady Blue Eagles, who saw themselves plummet to a 1-4 record with their third straight loss.

“We are happy that we can do the things we talk about in practice,” added Yee.

Gandler pulled Ateneo to 24-18 in the first set, but he wasn’t ready for Lorence Toring’s down attack at match point.

The Blue Eagles surged ahead in the second set, eager to reverse the trend quickly, only to find themselves chasing Adamson again on multiple hits from Toring and Tubu, who tallied eight points in that span.

The Blue Eagles tried to come back from two sets down with renewed vigor in the third frame. But Santiago was frustrated as he took on the scoring duties that saw Adamson fall behind, 23-17, on Gandler’s missed layup.

After the Lady Falcons committed two quick errors that gave Ateneo a sliver of hope, Santiago closed out with another crosscourt rocket.

“I joke with the team that it is difficult to expect anything [against La Salle]. We need to focus on our execution. There is a process that needs to be monitored,” Yee said. INQ

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