NU dominates Adamson to near first-round sweep; La Salle staves off Ateneo

National University cruised to yet another sweep victory, dismantling the struggling Adamson University, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Lady Bulldogs claimed their fifth straight-sets win to improve to 6-0 ahead of its finals rematch showdown against University of Santo Tomas on Sunday. 

The Lady Falcons fell to their third loss in a row to go 2-4. 

Alyssa Solomon was a beast in both offense and defense, detonating for a team-high 22 points anchored on 15 attacks, four blocks, and three service aces to add to the woes of Adamson. 

Vange Alinsug and Bella Belen supplied the support with 12 and nine markers apiece, with the reigning MVP also grabbing 12 digs in her first match against promising rookie Shaina Nitura. 

Nitura, for her part, flirted with a triple-double outing after she posted 13 points, 15 receptions, and eight digs while Frances Mordi tallied 13 markers as well in their fourth loss of the season. 

In the second game, De La Salle University needed to fend off a gritty stand from Ateneo de Manila University en route to a 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19 victory. 

Shevana Laput led their fourth-set comeback to finish with 25 points while other veterans Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan chipped in 17 and 12 markers each. 

Laput's opposite kill and ace allowed La Salle to tie things up at 9-all after a slow start to the fourth set, while back-to-back Malaluan attacks saw the Lady Spikers taking a 16-14 cushion. 

Laput then powered a 4-1 rampage as they built a much-needed 20-15 cushion but Ateneo responded by scoring two quick points to cut the deficit to three. 

Laput, though, soared from behind and Ateneo committed two consecutive attack errors to hand La Salle a 23-17 advantage. Canino delivered the match point before rookie setter Mikole Reyes put the roof on Lyann De Guzman's attack from the left side. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News