The National University Lady Bulldogs successfully defended the title after handily defeating the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 in Game Two of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Finals.
Team captain Bella Belen led the team with 18 points in 17 attacks and a block. Alyssa Solomon contributed 13 points, while Vange Alinsug added 10 points.
Angel Canino was limited to just 12 points for the Lady Spikers, while Sevana Laput had 10 points in seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
Here’s everything you missed at Game Two of the UAAP Season 97 women’s volleyball tournament finals.
48
The National University Bulldogs again dominated in the spiking department, having 48 attack points compared to La Salle’s 26.
Surprisingly, both teams almost had the same total attempts as the Lady Bulldogs spiked the ball 143 times, while the Lady Spikers had a total of 147.
After the game, Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses thanked the seniors and applauded Coach Ramil de Jesus of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
He said, “Sobrang thankful ako sa mga seniors kasi ‘yung chemistry na nabuo namin within eight months, sobrang bilis. ‘Yung leadership nila, especially si Bella, talagang napakagaling niyang mag-handle ng team.”
He added, “Knowing Coach Ramil, ‘yung sistema niya talagang buong-buo na. Naglalaro pa lang ako, Coach Ramil na siya. Masaya ako na nakalaban namin siya at this time, nanalo naman.”
Before handling the Lady Bulldogs, Coach Sherwin first mentored the Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP from Season 75 to 78.
10
After her 21-point explosion in Game One of the finals, Vange Alinsug had a modest 10-point outing in Game Two, but she delivered when the team needed it most.
Alinsug finished the game with nine attack points and a block with six excellent digs and three excellent receptions as she swept the backline of their defense.
Because of these impressive statistics, Alinsug was awarded the Finals MVP with libero Shaira Jardio. After the game, Alinsug admitted that it’s on her shoulders to lead the Bulldogs next season as veterans Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring cap off their collegiate careers.
Alinsug said after the match, “I think yes po [it’s our time to shine na] kasi knowing na aalis na talaga sila, sana sa mga maiiwan is madala namin ito sa susunod na season. Alam ko rin naman talaga na kahit wala na ‘yung seniors namin sa first six, madaming mawawala, meron ding mas malakas pa na papalit and paghihirapan naman namin ‘yung hanggang sa mag-season ulit.”
She ended, “For me naman, may award man ako o wala, still, kami pa rin ‘yung magiging leader sa susunod kaya room for improvements lang talaga kasi mahaba haba pa talaga. Ngayon, i-e-enjoy lang namin itong panalo with the senior citizens.”
21, 12
National University Lady Bulldogs libero Shaira Jardio, who bagged the co-MVP award with Vange Alinsug, recorded 21 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions in Game Two of the finals.
In Game One, she had 18 excellent digs and 28 excellent receptions as she swept the floor to make sure the ball didn’t hit the ground. After the game, Jardio admitted that she did not expect to receive the award.
She said, “Sobrang laking achievement kasi never ko in-expect na magiging Finals MVP ako. Siguro malaki rin ‘yung expectation ng mga sa akin pero gagawin ko pa rin ‘yung best ko everytime na maglalaro ako.
Jardio added, “Sa akin naman po, naka-mindset na po kasi ako na kailangan kunin ko lahat ng makakaya ko, ibibigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko and, gusto ko lang na umalis sila Ate Bella, Ate Erin, Ate Aly, Ate Shenna na ayun nga, panalo.”
“Sa akin sobrang laki kasi gusto ko rin i-lead ‘yung team namin. So, parang ‘yung finals na ‘to, na naging Finals MVP nga ako tsaka si Vange, siguro ito na ‘yung time na i-lead namin ‘yung team kasi mawawala ‘yung mga seniors namin,” she ended.
