National University‘s Alyssa Solomon spikes it against Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — National University swept Adamson University to close in on a first-round sweep of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
The reigning champions dumped the Lady Falcons, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, during their Wednesday afternoon faceoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to preserve their unbeaten record.
Alyssa Solomon finished with 22 points on 15 attacks, four blocks, and three aces to lead the Jhocson-based spikers, Vange Alinsug followed with 12 markers, four receptions, and two digs, while Bella Belen had nine points, 12 digs, and five receptions.
These allowed them to roll to their sixth straight victory in as many games, but for NU head coach Sherwin Meneses, the Lady Bulldogs are yet to reach their peak this season.
"Nagi-improve pa naman yung performance ng NU going into the second round," he said during the postgame presser.
It was only in the third set wherein National U was able to create separation from their San Marcelino-based counterparts, and helping them in doing this was their 44-29 advantage on attack points.
And while NU committed more errors than AdU, 23-16, it was their conscious effort to limit Shaina Nitura that also helped them to take care of business against the Lady Falcons.
"Yung area niya, talagang nabantayan namin," Meneses said of Nitura, who finished with 13 points which was built on nine attacks in 49 attempts.
"Maganda lang talaga yung pag stop namin sa net, so naging maganda yung resulta para sa amin," he added.
On the other hand, while Adamson U fell to 2-4 and absorbed their third straight loss of the year, Meneses was all praises for his Alma Mater especially with the growth they have been continuously showing.
"Masaya ako para sa kanila kasi may mga blue chips na recruit yung Adamson," said the Creamline Cool Smashers mentor, who coached AdU from 2012 to 2016. "Hopefully, yung mga players nila mag-improve pa lalo."
Aside from Nitura, however, it was only Frances Mordi who finished in double digits as she finished with 13 markers on top of six digs and three receptions.