Lady Bulldogs on verge of title repeat, trounce Lady Spikers in Game 1

MANILA, Philippines -- National University’s back-to-back title hopes are one step closer to reality.

The Lady Bulldogs bared their fangs and mauled the La Salle Lady Spikers in four sets, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17, in Game 1 of their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball championship series Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

NU is thus a win away from defending its title.

Vange Alinsug stood tall for the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, all on attacks. Bella Belen added 19 markers to go with 15 digs and 10 receptions.

After winning the first two sets with ease, NU saw itself on the wrong side of a 13-2 run in the third set as they trailed 22-10 thanks to the hot offense of La Salle star Angel Canino.

The defending champions played catch-up, but a service error by Alinsug sealed La Salle’s third set victory, 25-13.

But in the fourth set, the Lady Bulldogs led by just two, 17-15.

However, an Alleiah Malaluan attack error, followed by an Alyssa Solomon cross-court kill, kept La Salle at bay, 19-16.

The Lady Spikers tried to nip the deficit slowly, but NU was just too good.

The Sampaloc-based squad finished the game off with four straight points, including back-to-back attacks by Alinsug, to take Game 1.

Solomon chipped in nine points for NU, while Alexa Mata and Erin Pangilinan backstopped with seven and six, respectively.

Canino powered La Salle with 22 markers while Shevana Laput had 16.

Game 2 of the series will be on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.