NU Lady Bulldogs' Bella Belen. UAAP Media

MANILA (UPDATED) – National University was triumphant in ending University of Santo Tomas' unbeaten start in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament. 

After failing to pass the Golden Tigresses' test in Set 1, the Lady Bulldogs turned back the Espana spikers in the next chapters, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in front of more than 6,000 spectators visibly dominated by the UST faithful. 

Former UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen took charge in their win over UST after painting a masterpiece of 24 points built on 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace to go along with 13 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions, while Vange Alinsug chipped in 18 markers (14 attacks, three aces, one block). 

Belen highlighted the team's trust in each other as they took down the league leaders. 

"Ako po kasi, naniniwala ako sa teammates ko. Katulad kanina, kunwari, every time na nakaka-point yung UST samin, lagi ko lang sinasabi sa teammates ko na magtiwala lang sila, na pusuan lang namin yung game," the 21-year-old NU leader told reporters during the postgame press conference. 

(I just trusted my teammates. Like what happened a while ago, every time UST gets a point against us, I was telling my teammates to trust each other, and that we should pour our hearts out.)

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Alyssa Solomon also earned her share of the spotlight after firing the game-clinching service ace on top of 17 markers for NU. 

She also said trust played a huge role in their win against UST. 

"Ako naman, siguro 'yung key kanina kaya kami nanalo is 'yung tiwala and suporta. Kasi parang every time na papalo silang dalawa (Belen and Alinsug) sinasabihan lagi namin na sige pumalo ka lang diyan, magko-cover kami sa likod. Lagi naming nire-remind na may taong naka-suporta sa likod na kahit anong block sa'yo, maaangat at maaangat 'yon." 

(For me, the key was trust and support because every time Belen and Alinsug would hit the ball, we would always tell them that 'just hit it, we will cover you at the back. We always reminded them that there were people at the back that despite the opposition's blocks, we will keep the ball alive.) 

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The Tigresses tried to recuperate their chances in Set 4, being down two frames to one, and closed in at 23-20 off a UST block point. 

But a drop ball from NU coupled with a perfectly executed service ace from Solomon ended the 2-hour, 18-minute match in favor of the Lady Bulldogs. 

Angge Poyos held the fort for the UST side after logging 18 points. 

Despite the loss, the Golden Tigresses are still at the top of the league standings with an 8-1 win-loss record, while the Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-2.

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