Games Saturday:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – FEU vs AdU (Men)
12 noon – FEU vs AdU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs UST (Women)
4 p.m. – NU vs UST (Men)

DEFENDING champion National University quite literally threw everything from its arsenal before walking away with a hard-earned 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 15-10 win over Adamson to keep an unblemished record in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs were poised to finish off the job as they reached match point in the third set, no thanks to the splendid performance of Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago that saved the Lady Falcons and send the match to a decider.

“Na-force rin kami ni Adamson talaga na maglaro kung hanggang saan kami. Sa amin sa team, magandang experience din siya kasi last season walang fifth set. Marami pa rin kaming mage-gain doon,” said a visibly exhausted NU coach Karl Dimaculangan.

Adamson trailed 0-4 in the fifth set but the Lady Falcons clawed back and stayed in the thick of things at 9-10 just as when the Lady Bulldogs found a way to escape behind reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen’s heroics to secure their second straight win.

Alyssa Solomon dished out a career-high 28 points and she knows well that the Lady Bulldogs, the target of every opponent to snap their winning streak, need to be ready in this kind of situation.

“Happy naman po kasi nakita ko kung paano lumaban ang team,” Solomon said.

“Yun nga, may kailangan pa rin kaming ma-improve everyday and sa training siguro, doon kami pupukpok. Sa akin kasi, ayokong maranasan ang ganyang five sets, as long as kaya naman.”

Eya Laure had 17 points but drew a lot of support from her teammates as the University of Santo Tomas rebounded from its tough five-set loss to La Salle with a 25-16, 28-26, 25-21 win over Far Eastern University.

“Of course, we are happy kasi back on the track kami. Iyun lang naman ang gusto naming mangyari from last game namin. Naka-bounce back kami and hopefully may pangalawa…pangatlo pa itong panalo namin,” said Tigresses coach Kungfu Reyes.

“So na-polish naman namin kung ano man ang naging errors namin noong last game,” he added.

Ateneo also entered the win column but not after yielding the third set to the University of the East, 25-17, 25-23, 24-26, 25-10.

Faith Nisperos hammered 14 kills while Vanie Gandler also scored 14 points to go along with 11 digs for the Blue Eagles.

Belen had three blocks to finish with 23 points to go along witg 18 receptions and 13 digs, Cess Robles chipped in 13 points, including three service aces, while Erin Pangilinan had two blocks for a 12-point outing for NU.

Kate Santiago paced Adamson with 20 points, including three blocks, and 15 receptions, rookie Tubu had 16 points while Lorene Toring also had three blocks for a 12-point showing.

Being the most senior with the Tigresses, Laure was happy with the way the young troops brushed aside the opening-day defeat at the hands of the Lady Spikers.

“Kahit paano na-overcome namin yung feeling na natalo kami. Ngayon, pumunta kami sa arena, ready kaming lumaban at makuha ang panalo para sa UST,” said Laure, who also had two blocks, five digs and five receptions.

Jonna Perdido logged 12 points while Renee Peñafiel chipped in 10 points for the Tigresses.

Alyzza Devasora and Jov Fernandez had 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Lady Tamaraws.

The Lady Warriors, who were led by KC Cepada’s 14-point, six-dig outing, stumbled to their second straight defeat.

Men’s action at the Philsports Arena saw titleholder NU sweeping Adamson, 25-10, 25-17, 28-26, for a 2-0 record. Ateneo outlasted UE, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 22-25, 15-10, while La Salle down UP, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19, as the two fabled rivals improved to 1-1.