NU battles struggling UE

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

9 a.m. — UE vs NU (m)

11 a.m. — Ateneo vs FEU (m)

1 p.m. — UE vs NU (w)

3 p.m. — Ateneo vs FEU (w)

After being stunned the last time, two-peat-seeking National University (NU) gets a big break when it faces eliminated University of the East (UE) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Lady Bulldogs, coming off a tough four-set loss to seventh-seeded Adamson University last Sunday, absorbed only their second defeat of the season.

Despite the setback, NU still holds a strong 9-2 record and has already secured a Final Four berth.

NU missed the services of top scorer Alyssa Solomon, who was sidelined with a mild left ankle sprain she sustained prior to the match. Solomon exploded for 30 points in their win over Far Eastern University (FEU) before getting injured.

Team captain Bella Belen, who fired 19 points off 17 attacks and two aces, admitted that NU failed to execute their game plan in Solomon’s absence.

“I think we weren’t able to do what we talked about before the game,” said Belen as NU revs up for the 1 p.m. clash with the ousted Warriors.

“As Coach Sherwin (Meneses) mentioned after the match, just because one of us didn’t play, that doesn’t mean we can’t win. We all go through the same training.”

The Lady Bulldogs struggled to contain Adamson’s Shaina Nitura, who erupted for a game-high 32 points, as the Lady Falcons came away with a 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22 win that revived their flickering Final Four hopes.

“We came up short, plain and simple,” Belen added.

“We couldn’t stop Shaina (Nitura). She played really well. We failed to adjust quickly to what Adamson was doing. It’s alarming, especially since it’s not the first time. Like when we played UP, we talked about how other teams have nothing to lose now, so they’ll give everything they’ve got to upset the top teams. We have to be ready for that.”

Starting six for the Bulldogs in Solomon’s absence was Arah Panique, who tallied 10 points built on six attacks, two blocks, and two service aces.

NU now needs two more wins in its remaining games to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

In the 3 p.m. women’s match, FEU battles Ateneo de Manila University with an eye on solo third.

The Lady Tamaraws are currently tied with University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 7-4 but hold the tiebreak via the win-over-the-other rule.

FEU previously defeated Ateneo in four sets, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-21, on 17 March. Chenie Tagaod led the charge for FEU with 19 points, while Blue Eagles standout Lyann de Guzman delivered 23 points in their losing effort.

Ateneo, now tied with Adamson for sixth place with identical 4-7 cards, is three games behind the fourth spot with three matches remaining.

The Blue Eagles are hoping to bounce back from a straight-set loss to UST last 5 April.

In men’s action, NU also eyes to clinch a semifinal berth when it takes on winless UE at 9 a.m.