By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The reigning and defending UAAP women’s volleyball champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs bounced back from their loss against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and took down the UP Fighting Maroons, 18-25, 25-17, 25-11, 25-11, in the ongoing Season 85 last March 8, 2023.
After snapping its 20-game winning streak, the Lady Bulldogs vented ire on the Fighting Maroons and dominated in the last three sets to get back on track.
It seemed like NU still carried the pressure and disappointment from their loss at the hands of the Golden Tigresses in a grueling five-setter thriller when they dropped the opening set against UP.
The Lady Bulldogs were careless with their offensive executions which the Fighting Maroons capitalized on midway through the set when they established their consistency on both ends of the floor.
However, NU was quick to make up for their first-set sloppiness and contained the Fighting Maroons to below 20 points in the next three sets.
The Lady Bulldogs’ balanced attack proved to be too much for the Fighting Maroons courtesy of Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, and Ilongga skipper Princess Robles.
Toring top-scored for NU and contributed 14 big points off seven successful attacks including six jaw-dropping service aces.
Meanwhile, Alinsug and Robles combined for 24 points with three service aces and two rejections coming from the Ilongga athlete.
Steph Bustrillo led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 13 markers but her offensive efforts aren’t enough to lift UP to their second win in the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs will seek to maintain their momentum against the University of the East (UE) when they clash on March 12, 2023, to be held at the PhilSports Arena.
