NU outduels Adamson in UAAP 85 women’s volleyball showdown

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs sweep Adamson University, 26-24, 25-16, 25-22, during the ongoing UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament last April 12, 2023, held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Needing to finish strong to gain more momentum heading into the final phase of the second round, the Lady Bulldogs are slowly getting back to shape after displaying shades of their dominant offensive schemes from their undefeated UAAP Season 84 campaign.

It was a major leap from their first-round duel as Adamson was able to force them into a grueling five-setter affair compared to their stellar three-set sweep.

Mhicaela Belen took matters into her own hands and stole the limelight with her 20-point performance alongside 11 excellent receptions.

The reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the UAAP quickly pounced on the poor middle blocking of Adamson and made them pay every time she was fed in the cross-court.

“Pinaghandaan po kasi talaga namin yung game na ito and sinet namin yung goal namin na dapat ipanalo namin yung game na ito kasi kailangan na po naming manalo na eh, hindi na po namin kailangang matalo,” said Belen.

Also embracing the spotlight for the Lady Bulldogs were Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug who combined for 21 markers in just three sets.

Aside from their crisp offensive attacks, the Lady Bulldogs also relied on their tremendous floor coverage led by libero Jen Nierva who registered 12 excellent receptions.

After the Lady Bulldogs surpassed the see-saw battle in the first set, the reigning queens of the UAAP started to pick Adamson apart and expose the holes in their defensive coverages.

With the win, NU improved their win-loss record to 7-3 and will have the chance to lock in the Final Four spot if they sweep their remaining matches against UST, Ateneo, UE, and FEU.