UAAP Finals: NU a win away from title repeat, beats La Salle
NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate after beating La Salle Lady Spikers in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball Finals – May 11, 2025
MANILA, Philippines–National University defeated La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals on Sunday night, moving to the doorstep of a second straight crown.
Vange Alinsug starred with 21 points in the 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 Game 1 win at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
UAAP women’s volleyball Finals preview: NU vs La Salle III
NU coach Sherwin Meneses, Bella Belen, Vange Alinsug, and Alyssa Solomon after winning Game 1. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/znk93VQg4G
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 11, 2025
“This is the most important—Game 1. Our six days of training (for this moment) showed results,” Alinsug said.
Skipper and reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen also shone with 19 points, 15 digs and 10 receptions, helping push the Lady Bulldogs toward what could be the program’s first-ever back-to-back rule in the tournament.
Belen’s triple-double effort stacked with Alinsug’s offensive production just enough to turn back a Lady Spikers crew hell-bent on putting together what they had hoped to be a replay of their Season 85 encounter, where they swept the Lady Bulldogs for the title.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball FINALS
Angel Canino poured 22 points and added 13 receptions, while Shevana Laput chipped in 11 for La Salle.
But with their role players hardly making an impact, the Lady Spikers buckled under the relentless pace of the Lady Bulldogs, and will now have no other recourse but to win this Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena if they are to keep their season alive.
