National University (NU) moved on the verge of sweeping the first round following a commanding 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 victory over Adamson University in Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Alyssa Solomon provided the offensive muscles while Vange Alinsug and two-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen delivered down the stretch to lift the Lady Bulldogs to their sixth straight win in the country’s most prestigious collegiate league.

Solomon, who is eyeing to land a stint in the Korean League, finished with 22 points built round 15 spikes, four blocks and three aces, to power the Lady Bulldogs to a straight-set victory.

They will try to seal a first-round sweep when they battle dangerous University of Santo Tomas on Sunday.

Despite their impressive performance in their first six games, NU coach Sherwin Meneses believes that they still have a lot to work on.

“I believe NU will continue to improve heading into the second round and our last game of the first round on Sunday,” Meneses, champion coach at the club level, said, noting that winning over Adamson — his former team — wasn’t easy.

“As for Adamson, I’m happy for them because they have some talented young recruits. The toughest challenge is always recruitment, and hopefully, their young players will continue to develop.”

In fact, after breezing through the first set, the Lady Falcons came close to taking the second set, 20-16. But the Lady Bulldogs dug deep into their well of experience as Solomon and Alinsug connived to defuse the rally and secure a 25-23 win for a 2-0 set lead.

Then, it was all NU from there as Belen, Alinsug and Solomon connived for a 7-1 rally while tightening their defensive screws to seal the win in just 86 minutes of action.

“It was a tough match for us because we knew Adamson would not go down without a fight,” said Alinsug, who tallied 12 points.

On the other hand, top rookie Shaina Nitura, the league’s second-leading scorer, struggled offensively, no thanks to their airtight defense employed by the NU blockers.

She finished with a forgettable 13 points while Nigeria’s Frances Mordi also scored 13 points for the Lady Bulldogs, who are now on a three-game losing streak for a 2-4 win-loss record with University of the Philippines.

In the men’s division, NU pulled off a dramatic comeback, erasing a two-set deficit to defeat Adamson, 20-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12, in the league’s first five-setter since opening day.

Rookie setter Jeffe Gallego displayed composure, orchestrating NU’s offense with 22 excellent sets while adding four points on three blocks and one ace.

His precise playmaking enabled Buds Buddin, Leo Aringo, and Jade Disquitado to dominate offensively that melted the Soaring Falcons’ early momentum.

Buddin fired 22 points from 17 attacks, three blocks, and two aces while Disquitado provided a crucial spark off the bench, finishing with 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

With the win, NU improved to 5-1, tightening its grip on solo second place while Adamson dropped to 1-5.