National University vented its ire on first-round tormentor University of Santo Tomas and scored a 25-16, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14 win in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday, April 26, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Lady Bulldogs climbed 10-3 in the standings and got back at the Golden Tigresses, who ended their 20-game winning run in their first-round encounter, to gain a massive boost for the remaining twice-to-beat incentive.
NU also untangled itself from a two-way tie with UST after completing a four-set win.
Alyssa Solomon delivered 17 points off 15 attacks and two blocks, while Bella Belen added 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks and a service ace.
The Lady Bulldogs fought back from a 12-16 hole in the second set to gain control over the Golden Tigresses.
NU, however, couldn’t ride the momentum as UST quickly raced to a 5-0 early lead in the third set which ballooned to a 21-11 margin following Regina Jurado’s crosscourt attack.
From then on, the gap was too big for NU to close in on.
The Lady Bulldogs regained consciousness and jumped to an 8-2 lead in the fourth.
Imee Hernandez and Eya Laure joined forces and towered for UST with three straight block kills to cut the deficit by two, 9-7.
Before the Golden Tigresses could completely recover, the Lady Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to turn an 11-9 slim advantage into a telling 18-9 lead.
UST managed to inch closer within five, 19-14, after Belen’s attack went wide.
But NU went on a conclusive 6-0 run to take care of business.
Laure and Hernandez paced UST anew with 17 and 14 points, respectively, in the losing effort as they slid 9-4 in the standings.
