UP drops 4th straight match, as NU stays unbeaten

Drought continued for University of the Philippines, as they faced their fourth straight loss in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, after losing to the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs in straight sets, 13-25, 23-25, 22-25, yesterday, at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay. 

This marks NU’s sixth straight win of the season, taking the solo lead in the standings, while UP is currently at sixth, with a 2-4 win-loss record.

After the lopsided first set, UP kept it close in the second and third frames. Finding themselves down 20-24, UP tried to stage a comeback in the second set, making a 3-0 run after, but a service error from Bienne Bansil gave the Bulldogs their set win.

During the third set, NU had a commanding 22-16 lead, but UP had a rousing 6-0 run to tie the game at 22. However, back-to-back attacks from Alyssa Solomon and Celine Marsh, and a kill block from Erin Pangilinan sealed the win for the Sampaloc-based squad.

Alyssa Solomon, who was recently revealed as one of the four Filipino players who applied for the Korean Volleyball Federation Cup was named player of the game after scoring 16 points, 13 from attacks and three kill blocks.  Reigning MVP Bella Belen top-scored for NU, contributing 17 points, all from attacks.

Kassandra Doering. Photo from the UAAP Media

One and done foreign student athlete Kassandra Doering, who played off the bench, had a breakout game and was UP’s top scorer, producing her season high 11 points, coming from 8 attacks and 3 kill blocks. Former NUNS Lady Bullpup Kianne Olango scored 10 points, all from attacks.  Meanwhile, alternate setter Jaz Manguilimotan had eight excellent sets, and was a steady floor defender with four digs.

The Fighting Maroons will face the Adamson Lady Falcons for their last assignment in the first round on Sunday at 1PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.  NU, on the other hand, will face UST for their much-awaited Season 86 finals rematch in the first round at 5PM on the same day at the same venue.