Belen-Solomon tandem shines anew as undefeated NU sends UP to 4th straight loss

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NU's superstar duo of two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen and Korean Volleyball Federation draft applicant Alyssa Solomon combine for 33 points in a rollercoaster sweep of free-falling UP

MANILA, Philippines – The NU Lady Bulldogs kept to the status quo as the undisputed top team to beat in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after fending off the free-falling UP Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 9.

With the win, the defending champions rose to a clean 5-0 slate as the lone unbeaten team while sending UP — once a possible dark horse contender at 2-0 — down to 2-4 with its fourth straight loss.

Once again, the superstar tandem of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon brought the hard-hitting pain, this time against the hapless Maroons, with two-time MVP Belen topscoring with 17 points and 7 excellent receptions.

Solomon, meanwhile, added 16 points in her first game since her application to the Korean Volleyball Federation import draft was made official.

Taking a 2-0 lead off contrasting set win margins, NU looked headed for another easy finish after powering ahead with a 22-16 lead off a Belen crosscourt hit.

UP, however, showed an inkling of the former undefeated team it once was, surprising the champions with a 6-0 burst to forge a 22-all tie before Solomon righted the ship with a cross for the 23-22 lead.

That was the last gasp the weary Maroons could give as rookie Celine Marsh hammered a down-the-line hit for match point, 24-22, before Joan Monares was met at the net by former NU captain Erin Pangilinan for the match-sealing rejection.

UP foreign student-athlete Kassy Doering had her best game yet as a rookie Maroon with a team-high 11 points, followed by 10 from fellow freshman Kianne Olango. – Rappler.com