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Solomon, who sat out the last two games due to a minor left ankle sprain, provided the spark the Lady Bulldogs had been missing with a 12-point performance – highlighted by a seven-point output in the opening frame – steering them to one of the two coveted twice-to-beat advantages and locking up the No. 1 seed in the eight-team tournament.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon had a triumphant return as defending champion National University dispatched already-eliminated Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, to clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Solomon, who sat out the last two games due to a minor left ankle sprain, provided the spark the Lady Bulldogs had been missing with a 12-point performance – highlighted by a seven-point output in the opening frame – steering them to one of the two coveted twice-to-beat advantages and locking up the No. 1 seed in the eight-team tournament.
The win lifted NU to an 11-2 record, giving them crucial momentum heading into their Season 86 Finals rematch against the University of Santo Tomas on April 27, at the same venue to wrap up the elimination round.
“Super excited ako na makasama sila ulit, lalo na kanina sa game. Pinakita lang namin kung ano yung pinagsikapan namin over sa mga nakaraang araw. Very happy na nakabalik ako,” Solomon said.
Ateneo showed signs of life in the third set, overcoming an early 15-12 deficit with a backrow hit from AC Miner, a quick attack from Yvana Sulit, and a net touch by Abe Pono to trim the gap to 16-15. But NU responded with three consecutive points from Nigerian opposite hitter Aisha Bello to restore a 20-16 cushion.
Two attack errors from Solomon allowed the Blue Eagles to stay within striking distance at 21-19, but the Lady Bulldogs closed the door with an off-the-block kill from two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, a Zey Pacia attack error, a crosscourt spike from Solomon, and a block from Erin Pangilinan to complete the sweep and secure their second straight win in just 85 minutes.
