La Salle survives NU in five-set thriller to move a win away from title

De La Salle University survived a gutsy National University squad, 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, to move a win away from the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball title on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alyssa Solomon cut the Lady Bulldogs' deficit to a single point, 13-12, in the deciding set before Sheena Toring suffered an apparent knee injury after landing on Thea Gagate's foot.

The Lady Spikers eventually regained the lead, 14-12, before Mhicaela Belen inched closer to the Taft-based squad. However, an error by Chams Maaya gave La Salle the winning point.

Angel Canino had 21 points, while Thea Gagate had 17 points in the La Salle win. Mars Alba had 15 excellent sets.

Solomon led the blue-and-gold squad with 28 points while Belen had 22 points. Vange Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan chipped in 10 points apiece in the NU loss.

Game 2 of the finals will be on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News