UAAP volleyball: NU spikers clip UE foes

National University's men's and women's teams scored a rare sweep in the 73rd UAAP volleyball tournament when they defeated University of the East's teams on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City. The Lady Bulldogs clobbered the Lady Warriors, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, to end the elimination round with a 5-9 slate for fifth place, the team's best finish since winning the crown 55 years ago. NU and Far Eastern U – a 25-21, 10-25, 25-15, 25-17 winner against State U – actually finished tied (5-9), but the Lady Bulldogs had a higher FIVB quotient to take the fifth spot. Mecaila Morada scored 25 points behind 20 attacks and five service aces for the Lady Tamaraws. Maricar Nepomuceno finished the game with 14 points while teammates Lucelle Bayron, Rialen Sante, Mervic Mangui and Elaine Sagun combined for 41 markers for the Lady Bulldogs, who dealt the Lady Warriors their 11th loss against three wins. "I'm glad that we were able to reach our target. Although we missed the semifinals, still it's a big accomplishment for my team, and I really commend my players for working hard to achieve this goal," said NU coach Francis Vicente. "I expect a better performance next year, and hopefully we can advance into the Final Four round," he added. The Bulldogs, the Sampaloc-based spikers' men's squad, completed a twin kill after posting a 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15, decision against the Red Warriors. They closed their season campaign with a 3-11 slate while the Red Warriors dropped to their 13th loss against only one win. Adamson clinched the fifth spot (6-9) after scoring a 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 victory against Ateneo. – JVP, GMA News