The NU Lady Bulldogs are assured of a top-2 finish as they notched their 11th win overall in UAAP Season 87, beating Ateneo in straight sets.
The NU Lady Bulldogs welcomed back Alyssa Solomon from injury as they secured a twice-to-beat bonus for the Final Four of UAAP Season 87, handily beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
NU, who missed Solomon for two games, improved to 11-2 for the season and handed Ateneo a fourth straight loss. This means that only the DLSU Lady Spikers can match their record and are thus assured of a playoff incentive.
Solomon came back like she never left with 12 points. The reigning Finals MVP sat out as she recovered from a mild ankle sprain.
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Bella Belen topscored for the Lady Bulldogs with 16 markers, to go along with 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
The Lady Bulldogs hardly broke a sweat after a sluggish start that saw them trailing 5-10 early on. But NU surged forward by ending the set on a 20-6 run overall to take the lopsided victory and claim the 1-0 set lead.
Buoyed by that come-from-behind victory, NU rolled to make it back-to-back victories as the Final Four looms.
Apart from Belen and Solomon, Erin Pangilinan also chipped in with 11 points.
For Ateneo, Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner were the top scorers in the losing effort with nine points each. The also-ran Blue Eagles drop to 4-9 for the season with one more game remaining in their schedule.