TOP LADY BULLDOG. National University's Bella Belen (2nd from left) celebrates with her teammates after their 25-14, 25-14, 25-12 victory over University of the East in UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday (April 3, 2024). Belen had 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and 10 digs as the Lady Bulldogs moved to within a win away from securing a semifinal berth. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – Bella Belen delivered an awesome performance Wednesday in National University's 25-14, 25-14, 25-12 victory over the University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Belen had 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and 10 digs as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 8-2 and moved to within a win away from securing a Final Four berth.
“Hindi lang po yung atake ang laging iniisip ko, iniisip ko kung ano pa yung kaya kong i-contribute sa team. As long as kaya ko pong gawin yung task like sa receive at dig, ibibigay ko yung effort ko (It's not just the attack that I always think about, I think about what else I can contribute to the team. As long as I can do the task like receive and dig, I will give my effort),” said Belen after the one hour and 21-minute match.
Alyssa Jae Solomon led NU with 14 points, while Evangeline Alinsug added nine points, followed by Minerva Maaya with eight points.
“Very happy kasi nakita namin kung ano yung pinagtrabahuhan namin nung mga training lalo na nung Holy Week na imbis na umuwi or mag-spend time sa family namin, mas pinili namin magtraining at ipolish pa yung galaw namin (We are very happy because we saw what we worked on during the trainings, especially during Holy Week, that instead of going home or spending time with our family, we chose to train and polish our moves)," Solomon said.
Rookie Casley Monique Dongallo, the league's second-leading scorer, managed only six points for the Lady Warriors, who absorbed their seventh loss against two wins for seventh place.
Riza Nogales also made six points while Angelica Claire Castillo chipped in five points for UE, which will be up against defending champion De La Salle University on April 9 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
NU will battle Ateneo at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 10.
In the men's division, University of Santo Tomas defeated Adamson University, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, to gain solo fourth with a 6-4 record.
Josh Ybañez had 25 points, 27 excellent receptions, and 12 digs for UST. Gboy de Vega contributed 18 points, Jay Rack Dela Noche made 14, and Rainier Flor had 10.
Marc Paulino scored 16 points for the Soaring Falcons, who slid to sixth at 4-5. Francis Casas and Jude Aguilar added 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Lorence Canlas made 29 receptions and 14 digs. (PNA)
