NU dynasty established

MANILA, Philippines —  The gates have opened for the new UAAP dynasty.

National U snared its second straight title and third overall in the last four seasons, ushering in a new queendom in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament with a 2-0 sweep of the La Salle Lady Spikers.

And as if there was still any inch of doubt, the Lady Bulldogs quashed it all by thumping the Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, last night for the clincher in Season 87 witnessed by more than 15,000 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was an easier cruise than their 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 win in Game 1, completing the Lady Bulldogs’ lopsided win in NU-La Salle Last Dance III.

Bella Belen fired 18 points on 17 hits to punctuate one of the best collegiate careers in history after also claiming her second straight and third overall MVP crown in the awarding ceremony earlier.

Three championships and three MVP awards put Belen, also the season’s Best Outside Spiker, in the Mt. Rushmore of UAAP women’s volleyball, tying the legendary Alyssa Valdez for the most ever.

But she could have not done it without her lethal partner Alyssa Solomon, also a graduating senior, who uncorked 13 points on 13 hits for a fitting swan song for NU’s dynamic duo.

Vange Alinsug, their heir apparent, added 10 points highlighted by the championship-clinching hit to gain Co-Finals MVP plum with libero Shaira Mae Jardio, who provided 21 digs and 12 receptions. Season 87 Best Setter Lams Lamina dished out 16 sets.

In the men’s play, four-peat champion NU turned back Far Eastern U with a stellar comeback in the clutch, 25-22, 20-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, to force a winner-take-all Game 3.

Buds Buddin and Obed Mukaba fired 20 points each as NU, with a new lease on life and now smelling blood, shoots for its fifth straight title on Saturday at the same venue.