NU Lady Bulldogs sweep season to end 65-year drought for UAAP volleyball title

NU Lady Bulldogs complete sweep of UAAP Season 84 on their way to the title. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Every Bulldog has its day. It couldn’t be truer for the National University Lady Bulldogs as theirs came on Tuesday night, sweeping all their games in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball to end a 65-year title drought.

Playing with confidence and skill level that were unmatched all season, NU drubbed La Salle, 25-15, 25-15, 25-22, for its 16th victory in as many matches stamping its class over the opposition.

The Lady Bulldogs, made up of the core of the school’s high school program, dropped only five sets all in all — none to the Lady Spikers – to earn the championship pedigree for NU which has been in the doldrums for decades.

La Salle, an 11-time champion, was completely stumped in the best-of-three series. Best it could do was take a 20-17 lead in the third through an ace by reliever Matet Espina. But NU countered with a dizzying 7-0 rally helped in part by La Salle’s errors.

Mhicaela Belen whipped up a performance worthy of her rare Rookie-MVP honors, blasting away with 10 points in the opening set as the Lady Bulldogs dashed from a 6-10 deficit to a lopsided set win.

Ivy Lacsina and Alyssa Solomon backed up Belen in attacks as NU buried La Salle in that department, 17-7, to set the tone of the match that was watched by 12,621 spectators at Mall of Asia Arena.

Cess Robles was named the Finals MVP.

La Salle failed to make the necessary adjustment in the next frame, allowing NU to zoom to double-digit advantage, the last at 18-8. The Lady Bulldogs dumped 18 attacks on the Lady Spikers who could only muster seven spikes.