The defending champions, National University Lady Bulldogs, inched closer to another championship as they defeated the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, in Game One of their best-of-three finals series in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs are one game away from successfully defending the crown and avenging their Season 85 loss in the finals to the Lady Spikers.
Game 2 of the finals between the National University Lady Bulldogs and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers will be on Wednesday, May 14, 5 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Here’s everything you missed at Game One of the UAAP Season 97 women’s volleyball tournament finals.
40
National University outside hitters Bella Belen and Evangeline Alinsug combined for 40 points as they led the Lady Bulldogs’ offense in their Game One victory.
Alinsug scored 21 points, while Belen added 19 in 17 attacks and two aces. Alyssa Solomon was limited to nine points, while Alexa Mata and Erin Pangilinan combined for 13 points.
After the game, Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses applauded the team’s winning attitude in the fourth set after dropping the third set. He said, “‘Yung game naman hindi natin masabi, talagang ‘yung situation sa third set kailangan lang naming tanggapin then bawi ng fourth set. ‘Yun naman ang pinakamahalaga, e, ‘yung maka-recover ka.”
Alinsug’s 21-point explosion was her season best, and she couldn’t be any happier that she did it in the game one of the finals. She said, “First of all, happy kami kasi nakuha namin ‘yung Game One. Ito ‘yung pinaka-importante talaga so magtuloy-tuloy lang kami kasi ‘yung six days namin na training, nagbunga ngayon. Meron kaming two days ulit para kunin ‘yung Game Two.”
Meanwhile, Solomon sang praises for Alinsug as she stepped up during her bad game. She said, “Siyempre, sobrang proud ako kay Ate Vange. Nakita ko na every training talaga pinagtatrabahuhan niya, lagi kong sinasabi na [sa] training pa lang, start na ng competition. Kung binigay mo ‘yung 100% mo sa training, ‘yun ‘yung lalabas sa game. Very proud ako kay Ate Vange.
47
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers were limited to 47 attack points in their loss against the National University Lady Bulldogs. In comparison, the Lady Bulldogs recorded 62 attack points.
Angel Canino led her team once again with 22 points in 21 attacks and one block, while Shevana Laput contributed 16 points in 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. Amie Provido added 10 points in seven attacks, two aces, and a block, while Alleiah Malaluan and Lilay Del Castillo combined for nine points.
The Lady Spikers politely declined the post-game interview as they shifted their focus to the next game.
