Lady Bulldogs sweep Lady Spikers to Clinch back-to-back UAAP title

Report by Rainier Acosta | Photo credits to Rappler

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs clinched back-to-back titles after sweeping the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

"Siyempre, I'm very happy kasi na-achieve namin goal namin as a team. Marami kaming pinagdaanan, nagkaroon kami ng mga talo, maraming times din na parang kinuwestiyon namin sarili namin and as a team kung tama ba ginagawa namin, kung nasa right path ba kami.” Belen said in an interview with GMA News. 

“Pero nagtiwala lang kami sa sarili namin, sa teammates at coaches namin. Trinabaho lang namin hanggang sa Finals para makuha ang back-to-back," she added. 

Meanwhile, senior opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon also made her presence felt, registering 13 markers along with five digs.

After her career-high 21 points for NU in Game 1, Vange Alinsug tallied 10 points, including the last two clutch points, to go with a block and six digs to be named as one of the Final Most Valuable Players of the series.

Lady Bulldogs libero Shaira Jardio etched her name in history after being the second libero to win the FMVP award, joining the ranks of the legendary Dawn Macandili.

“Sobrang [overwhelmed] po ako kasi sobrang idol ko siya (Macandili) nung nanonood pa lang po ako nung high school pa lang po ako, nanonood kami ng laro nila dito sa MOA Arena. Nakaka-overwhelm po talaga,” said the 4-foot-11 Jardio in an interview with Tiebreaker Times on Wednesday after being crowed as the champions.

Jardio had 18 excellent digs and 28 excellent receptions in Game 1 and 21 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions in Game 2.

Providing support were Alexa Mata who chipped in eight points, and Erin Pangilinan with seven. Lams Lamina notched 16 excellent sets.

On the other hand, Angel Canino logged 12 points, all of which came from attack, along with nine digs and 15 excellent receptions to keep the Lady Spikers in the game.

Shevana Laput and Amie Provido also put up 10 and seven points, respectively, in a losing effort as coach Ramil de Jesus came up short in his 21st finals appearance.

The loss also signaled La Salle’s ninth runner-up finish with 12 championships in the league.