Action between NU and La Salle in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball Finals, May 11, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- National University has a chance to clinch back-to-back women's volleyball championships for the first time in school history on Wednesday, when they take on La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
The Lady Bulldogs vow to guard against complacency, however, knowing that the Lady Spikers will be fired up after a four-set defeat in the opener of the best-of-3 championship series last Sunday.
National U suffered a letdown in the third set of Game 1 but quickly recovered and claimed a 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 triumph to move on the brink of a second straight crown, and a third title in four seasons.
READ: Belen, Alinsug shine as National U overwhelms La Salle for 1-0 lead
They can complete their championship defense with another win against La Salle tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena, with first serve scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
"Lagi naman, after game lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na yung close out talga ang pinakamahirap. Pati nga yung second set eh, sabi ko sa kanila, talagang kailangan magpakapagod lang kami, magfocus sa ginagawa namin," said NU head coach Sherwin Meneses, who is trying to steer the Lady Bulldogs to a title in his first season in charge.
"S'yempre pinakamahalaga is 'di ka mawala sa focus na 'okay nakuha nila yung third set, recover lang palagi'. Volleyball naman is recover naman talaga lagi. So hopefully, lesson samin yung nangyari," he added.
The Lady Bulldogs have won all three of their assignments against La Salle so far this season.
They hope to get the job done once more in Game 2 and give three-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon a fitting send-off to their storied collegiate careers.
Plenty of attention will also be on Vange Alinsug, who showed that she is ready to take over the reins in NU after exploding for a career-best 21 points in Game 1.
Meanwhile, De La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus is urging his players to respond, particularly his pair of setters in Jules Tolentino and Mikole Reyes, who were both outplayed by veteran Lams Lamina.
READ: De Jesus not losing hope despite La Salle's sorry Game 1 loss to NU
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput both churned out their usual numbers, but La Salle is hoping to get more from their supporting cast as they navigate a do-or-die match against the Lady Bulldogs.
Ahead of Game 2, Belen will formally be crowned as the season MVP while Shaina Nitura, the prolific open hitter from Adamson, will be named Rookie of the Year.
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