UST to face La Salle in playoff for twice-to-beat after 5-set loss to NU

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Bella Belen shines as the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs prevent the UST Golden Tigresses from clinching the second seed and the twice-to-beat bonus

MANILA, Philippines – If the UST Golden Tigresses want the last twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, they have to get it the harder way.

UST fell short of clinching the second seed and the Final Four incentive after a heartbreaking 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 loss to defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 27.

Slipping to 9-5 for a three-way tie with La Salle and FEU, the Tigresses will face the Lady Spikers in a playoff for the second seed on Wednesday, April 30, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bella Belen proved a thorn in the side of UST, putting up 26 points, 17 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions as the Bulldogs beat the Tigresses for the fifth straight time to end the elimination round with a league-best 12-2 card.

“I’m very happy because I saw that my teammates fought despite the exhaustion,” said Belen. “The game wore us out and we saw how bad UST wanted to win. But I never saw fear in my teammates’ eyes.”

“Even if we’re tired, we still did the right things and won it.”

Alyssa Solomon also starred for NU with 23 points built on 20 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, taking turns with Belen in the pivotal fifth set that saw the Lady Bulldogs seal the deal with an 8-3 run.

Bellen scattered 4 points in that stretch before Solomon delivered the win-clinching swipe off the block.

Although the game had no bearing for NU as it already nailed the top seed, the Lady Bulldogs still pulled out all the stops for their third consecutive victory heading into their Final Four clash against fourth seed Lady Tamaraws.

“We’re competitive as individuals. Because of that, we know that we can win our games,” said Solomon in Filipino. “Even against our own teammates, we refuse to lose.”

Vange Alinsug fired 19 points to backstop Belen and Solomon.

Regina Jurado paced the Tigresses with 19 points, while Angge Poyos tallied 15 points, although they were shut down in the final set.

Maribeth Hilongo and Marga Altea chimed in 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the losing effort. – Rappler.com