NU Secures Final Four Spot with Dominant Sweep of UE

Defending champion National University earned its place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament Final Four with a commanding 3-set sweep of the University of the East, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14, on Sunday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs, now on a three-game winning streak, booked their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance since Season 84 (2022), a stretch that has seen them win three championships and finish as runners-up once.

With the victory, NU solidified its spot in second place with a 9-3 record and remains in position to challenge De La Salle University, which is aiming for an elimination-round sweep and an automatic Finals berth. The two teams are set to face off on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs also maintained a comfortable two-game lead over the third-place tie between Adamson University and the University of Santo Tomas, both with 7-5 records, as they head into the final stretch of the preliminaries.

“We’re very grateful and thankful to be here. We’ve worked hard for every game. Nothing comes easy, but hard work always pays off. Hopefully, this isn’t where it ends. We want that twice-to-beat advantage and, of course, to play in the championship games,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.

After a sluggish start in the third set, where UE briefly led 11-9, NU responded with a dominant 9-0 run behind the efforts of Sam Cantada, Vange Alinsug, Arah Panique, and Alexa Mata, turning the tide and establishing an 18-11 lead.

The Lady Bulldogs never looked back, with two points from Panique, a Keshia Famulagan attack error, and a game-clinching block from Chamy Maaya on Sam Taylan sealing the sweep in just 84 minutes.

In the second set, NU dominated early, racing to a 13-4 lead and cruising to a two-set advantage, highlighted by a Taylan net touch, a Lamina block on Khy Cepada, and a crosscourt hit from Cantada.

“I’m happy because we’ve secured a Final Four spot, but that’s not our ultimate goal. We’ll continue to work hard. I know my teammates feel the same way—we’re not done yet,” said Alinsug, who finished with 11 points, including 10 attacks and one ace, along with 11 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

Cantada added 11 points with six attacks, four aces, and one block, along with five excellent digs and two excellent receptions. Panique also scored 11 points, with five attacks, four aces, and two blocks, plus five excellent digs. Mata chipped in eight points, including four attacks and four blocks, while Maaya contributed six points, three attacks, and three blocks.

On the other hand, UE remained winless after 12 matches, extending their losing streak to 26 consecutive games dating back to their winless Season 87 campaign.

Captain Van Bangayan led the Lady Warriors with seven points, five attacks, one block, one ace, and nine excellent digs. Taylan added six points, two excellent digs, and two excellent receptions, while Cepada contributed five points, seven excellent digs, and five excellent receptions. Famulagan finished with four points.

UE will look for their first win of the season when they face La Salle on Wednesday, April 15, at the UST venue.

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