Bella Belem and the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate their points against UST Golden Tigers at the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. –Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
The night before, the door left Ajar for the enemy. The national university hit and closed it, resulting in a statement victory, even as the pride of momentum and the pride of many schools played.
The defending champions pulled back Santo Tomas University (UST), 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-9 on Sunday in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball, then turned back Santo Tomas University (UST), 23-25, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-9 on Sunday to pick up the victims on Sunday.
Golden Tigress needed a victory to secure a full second seed and other playoff bonuses, but the top-ranked lady bulldogs didn’t waste the opportunity to warm up to the high stakes stage.
“Even after watching tired [UST’s] “I saw no fear in my teammates,” skipper Bella Belem said after pushing the team’s record to 12-2 overall, shortly after his victory at Quezon City’s Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We want to show more. We never get tired of working hard to improve,” added Ace Alyssa Solomon. “It’s as if you’re following a certain standard.”
After marching straight to the semi-finals at the edge of victory, Tigresses will have to face La Salle in the one-game playoffs at the Asian Arena mall this Wednesday.
Both finish 9-5 and play at least another game after the KO match.
The Bulldogs face fourth-placed Far East in the remaining half of Final Four.
After stumbling on the opening set, the Bulldogs put out the fires one after another behind the heroes of Solomon and Belem. The latter was deemed the finest in the game, but they never set their sights on the next challenge ahead, the surge in Tamarose.
“I think we learned the lessons. We had the opportunity to win the series in the first game,” he said after finishing with 26 points, referring to the MVP to 26 points, referring to TAMS heading into the semi-finals last season.
“Fortunately, we are still hungry,” Belem added.
Reg Jurado starred Golden Tigress with 19 points, while Angge Poyos took the chip with another 15. Marga Altea and Mabeth Hilongo both added twin digit scores.
Finished at a high price
Meanwhile, Adamson closed the season with previous demolition of University of the Philippines (UP), 25-13, 25-21 and 25-18.
Fighting for pride and laying the foundation for next year, the Lady Falcons finished with a 6-8 record. This is a significant improvement from last season’s 3-11 mark.
Record-time freshman Shaina Nitura fired 22 points to pace Adamson, further strengthening the Rookie of the Year honors case. Fellow novice Felicity Sagaysai and Francis Maldie also submitted a promised outing, and the Falcons ultimately finished the hosts in fifth place, thanks to excellent match points.
The Fighting Maroon, once a dark horse in the Final Four Derby, settled in sixth place after a campaign that still showed progress.
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