NU outlasts FEU in five-setter to remain undefeated in UAAP women's volleyball

National University flaunted its championship poise after outlasting Far Eastern University in a five-set thriller, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8, to remain undefeated in three games in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.

After falling in the second and third sets against the Lady Tamaraws, NU managed to recover in the fourth set with Alyssa Solomon leading the comeback.

The game was tied at 20 after a service error from Lams Lamina but Solomon put the Lady Bulldogs in front. An attack error from Faida Bakanke followed by another Solomon attack gave the Lady Bulldogs a three-point advantage, but Gerz Petallo stopped the bleeding for the Morayta-based squad. Bakanke managed to score one, along with another block from the Lady Tams to inch closer, but it was NU who got the fourth set after an unsuccessful block touch challenge.

The fifth set, however, was a different story.

NU tied the match at 3-all before going all-out as they eventually led 8-3. Despite FEU's attempts as Chenie Tagaod put the Lady Tamaraws within three, 10-7, the Bulldogs made a late 3-0 rally capped by an Arah Panique block, which was followed by a Tagaod error to give NU a 14-7 lead.

Vange Alinsug's service error halted the Lady Bulldogs' run, but it was Bella Belen who eventually delivered the match for NU as the ball in/out challenge was deemed unsuccessful.

Solomon had 23 points anchored from 19 attacks and four blocks, while Belen added 21 points, seven of which were aces for NU. Alinsug, meanwhile, had 19 points.

Jean Asis led the Lady Tamaraws with 20 points, while Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina had 12 and 11 points for FEU who slipped to 1-2.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News