Lady Bulldogs dominate winless Blue Eagles for second straight win

MANILA, Philippines — National University strung together two straight wins in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15, Sunday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Bulldogs rose to 5-1 in the season while keeping Ateneo winless through six games.

Vange Alinsug scored eight of her 18 points in the deciding third set. She had 14 attacks, three blocks and an ace to go with seven digs and two receptions. Arah Panique chipped in 10 markers, while Sam Cantada, who came off an injury, had six.

After breezy wins in the first two sets, NU pulled away late in the third set.

With Ateneo trailing by five, 13-18, the Lady Bulldogs punched in three straight points thanks to Chami Maaya and Alinsug.

The Blue Eagles snapped the run, but NU retaliated with three straight points to move to match point, 24-14.

Cantada then iced the match with a huge kill to grab the victory in an hour and 28 minutes.

Maaya and Alexa Mata had eight points each for the winning team, while Celine Marsh added six.

Ana Hermosura and Dona de Leon had seven markers apiece for Ateneo.

In the men’s division, the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs won three straight after crushing Ateneo, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22, thanks to explosive performances of Jade Disquitado and Buds Buddin.

Disquitado led the 5-1 NU with 16 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Buddin added 12 points, five digs and five receptions.

Kennedy Batas powered the 2-4 Ateneo with 13 points.

Far Eastern University also remained unscathed in the season, hiking its record to 6-0 after charging past the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (2-3), 25-14, 25-22, 28-26, off of Amet Bituin’s 17 points.

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