MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - National University's long wait for another UAAP women's volleyball crown ended in historic, dominant fashion on Tuesday night, in front of a raucous crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena that included a number of their former players.

For the fourth time in Season 84, the NU Lady Bulldogs overcame De La Salle University, 25-15, 25-15, 25-22. National U did not drop a set against the Lady Spikers throughout the entire season.

This victory in Game 2 was the most significant, however, as it completed NU's sweep of La Salle in the best-of-3 finals, as well as their perfect campaign in UAAP Season 84. The Lady Bulldogs ended the tournament with an immaculate 16-0 win-loss record.

They are only the third team to complete a sweep in UAAP women's volleyball, following the La Salle team in Season 67 that went 14-0. In Season 77, an Ateneo de Manila University team anchored by Alyssa Valdez became the first team to go 16-0 in a tournament.

It was an emotional triumph for the Lady Bulldogs, most of whom were products of the NU high school program who committed to their senior team with the goal of ending their school's long title drought. The Lady Bulldogs have not won a UAAP women's volleyball title since 1957, when the league was barely 20 years old.

The NU women, bannered by rookie-MVP Michaela Belen and veteran libero Jennifer Nierva, etched their name into history on Tuesday night as they finally ended a 65-year wait, and did so via one of the most dominant campaigns in recent memory.

Emerging as Finals MVP was their team captain, Princess Robles, who was a steady presence for the Lady Bulldogs all throughout their campaign and held them together in Set 3 of the Finals, when La Salle threatened to force an extension.

-- SLOW START --

The Lady Bulldogs started slow in Game 2, trailing 6-10 in the opening frame before they got their groove offensively. Belen caught fire in Set 1, firing nine attack points to power NU to a comfortable 25-15 win.

The offensive onslaught continued in Set 2, where the Lady Bulldogs outhit La Salle, 17-7. But the Lady Spikers showed remarkable grit in the third frame, building a 16-12 advantage off an emphatic block by Baby Jyne Soreño on Robles.

La Salle was still ahead, 20-17, thanks to a Marite Espina ace that caught Belen off guard in zone five. That prompted NU coach Karl Dimaculangan to sue for time, and the Lady Bulldogs responded in blistering fashion. They scored seven unanswered points, with reserve Erin Pangilinan coming through with key hits to put NU in control.

The Lady Spikers also shot themselves in the foot: Marionne Alba was called for a double-contact, and Alleiah Malaluan sent an attack wide to put NU on the brink of victory, 24-20.

Back-to-back net violations temporarily stalled National U's march, but there was no stopping the Lady Bulldogs from reaching their goal. A service error by La Salle's Thea Gagate ended the match -- their 20th miscue of the match.

-- OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT --

Alyssa Solomon, who was named Best Opposite Hitter ahead of the game, scattered 18 points and Belen finished with 16. Robles had six points and 15 digs to help Nierva on defense, as the libero was credited with 19 digs and 10 excellent receptions.

NU's offense, as it has been all season, was outstanding. They had 45 kills in the match, and limited their errors to just 19. On the other end, La Salle scored just 25 points off their attack, with no player reaching double digits.

Gagate led La Salle in scoring with seven of her eight points coming on kills. Malaluan, who led La Salle in scoring in the elimination round, was limited to seven points.