Defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs passed their first legitimate test in UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball against the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
National University turned it up a notch when it mattered to overhaul a 2-1 set deficit and slip past Far Eastern University, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Sunday, Feb. 23.
After winning their first two games easily, the Lady Bulldogs were given a run for their money as they were dragged into deep water by the Lady Tamaraws in a rematch of last year’s Final Four duel.
Their latest faceoff lived up to the billing, with the defending champion eventually preserving their perfect slate at 3-0.
FEU, meanwhile, slid to 1-2.
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NU pounced on erratic FEU in the decider, including a wayward hit from Chenie Tagaod which put the Lady Bulldogs at match point, 14-7.
Bella Belen provided the finishing blow with a crosscourt hit.
NU's Erin Pangilinan wags her finger after scoring a block point against Jazlyn Ellarina of FEU late in the fifth set of their match in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Early on in the game, NU looked poised for another dominant win when they seized the first set with a 10-point gap, 25-15.
But key adjustments were made by FEU head coach Tina Salak which opened up the offense for Faida Bakanke and Jean Asis in the second set.
The Lady Tamaraws found themselves in the driver's seat, seizing a 2-1 lead after saving a set point and scoring the last three points of the third set, punctuated by a block by Bakanke on Belen.
But the Lady Bulldogs leaned on their ever-reliable scorers in the fourth — particularly Alyssa Solomon who brought them to set point, 24-21, after a kill block on Gerzel Petallo.
FEU continued to put up a threat as it countered with back-to-back points, but a costly error from Bakanke allowed the Lady Bulldogs to even the match and force the decider.
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Solomon nabbed Player of the Game honors after a 23-point performance including four blocks.
Belen logged 21 markers, including a whopping seven aces, while Vange Alinsug added 19 points and 15 excellent receptions.
Asis paced FEU with 20 points in a losing effort.