National University remembered what happened last year and decided that it would not go the same path this UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four.
After falling behind by two sets, the top-seeded Lady Bulldogs pulled out all the stops to eliminate fourth-ranked Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 17-15, and book their spot in the Finals for the fourth straight season on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Last season, the No. 1 versus No. 4 matchup was similar but FEU forced a sudden death after earning a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 sweep in Game 1 only to fold in Game 2 in straight sets as well.
The Lady Bulldogs are seeking to defend their crown and claim their third championship in four seasons.
NU will face the winner between the twice-to-beat-armed De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas later in the day.
“Siyempre thankful ako sa players kasi nagrerespond sila sa situation na sinasabi namin pero sabi ko nga hindi pa tapos ang laban kasi ang goal talaga ay madefend yung crown. Enjoy konti lang tapos trabaho ulit para madefend yung crown, yun yung pinakatarget talaga,“ said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses.
In the deciding fifth set that could decide whether they will have another game in the semifinals or they will advance right away to the championship series, the Lady Bulldogs leaned on their most trusted duo – Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen.
Solomon started the fifth set on fire while Belen finished the game blazing for the Finals ticket.
The 6-foot-2 opposite spiker opened the stanza with three straight hits but the Lady Tamaraws did not fold easily through Faida Bakanke and Lovely Lopez’s timely points.
With Solomon’s crosscourt hit sending NU to its first match point, 14-13, the brave rookie Lopez saved FEU with an off-the-block hit before Vange Alinsug gave the Lady Bulldogs another match point, 15-14.
Lopez, undeterred by the spotlight, responded anew before Belen delivered the final blows on an off-the-block hammer, followed by a crosscourt kill for the win after two hours and 33 minutes.
FEU had a golden chance to sweep NU in the third set with the scoreline knotted at 23 but Belen came through with an off-the-block hit before Alexa Mata’s serve, first deemed as out, was called an ace after a successful ball-in, ball-out challenge to extend the Lady Bulldogs’ life.
Then they just pounded the Lady Tamaraws in the fourth to force a fifth set.
“Lagi lang naman naming sinasabi na hindi naman matatapos yung game kung mananalo ng isang set or dalawang sets. Hanggang di natatapos yung game may chance pa kaming lumaban at yun ang pinakita namin mula third set hanggang fifth set,” said Belen, who stood out with 24 points, 14 digs, and 10 receptions.
Solomon added 21 points while Alinsug also shone with 18 points and 14 excellent receptions.
Chams Maaya also had 13 points in three sets while Mata got eight points in three frames of action as well.
Shaira Jardio held NU’s fort in defense with 21 excellent receptions and 19 digs in the win.
Congolese opposite hitter Bakanke led FEU with 15 points, while Gerzel Petallo had an all-around display of 14 points, 14 receptions, and 13 digs.
Jaz Ellarina also delivered 14 points, while Chenie Tagaod got 10 points and 14 excellent receptions.
Lopez netted nine points in three periods of action, including four in the fifth set.
