National University (NU) rode high on a monster performance by Vange Alinsug to take down De La Salle University (DLSU) in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Finals on May 11 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs are poised to claim their third title in the last four seasons since 2022 when they waited over six decades for their first crown.

“This isn’t our first time playing (in a championship game). For me, the mindset is just to play the way we always do,” Alinsug said in Filipino. She racked up a career-high 21 points in the four-set match, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17.

“Our six days of training paid off, and now we have two more days to prepare and take Game 2,” she added.

Her teammate and reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen nailed a triple-double with 19 points, 15 excellent digs, and 10 receptions, reinforcing her case for a third MVP award in four years.

“We’re not thinking we won today because it’s not yet over. I don’t see my teammates being overconfident,” Belen said in Filipino. “Maybe we’re happy now, but tomorrow we’re back to training.”

NU wasted no time exploiting DLSU’s shaky rhythm in the first set, building a comfortable 22-14 lead with crisp executions and flawless teamwork. DLSU crumbled under pressure with a string of miscues and unforced errors that widened the gap.

Tight Set 2

Set 2 was tightly contested until NU dropped the hammer: a 10–2 run powered by quality bench minutes from Abegail Pono and Arah Panique. Belen caught fire, scoring 4 points out of 6 sequences in a blitz that turned a 6-8 deficit into a 10-9 lead, pushing the bulldogs to a 2-0 advantage.

Set 3 was a must-set win for DLSU as the Lady Spikers gambled by replacing starting setter Mikole Reyes with Julyana Tolentino. Season 85 Rookie of the Year-MVP Angel Canino went full beast mode, exploding a 10-point burst that keyed a 17-6 run, and helped DLSU steal the third set to keep their hopes alive.

The fourth set was filled with errors on both sides, but NU’s composure carried them through to secure the win.

For NU, their win was fueled by familiarity, which is a key ingredient in their winning formula.

“Most of us have played together since high school and continued to college. That’s a huge factor in how we move and play because we know each other so well,” Alinsug said. “I’m really happy because we’re leaving something behind for the younger ones to build on.”

Coach Sherwin Meneses, in his first UAAP Finals appearance, said: “The chemistry of NU is already there… We just need to defend NU’s crown. As coaches, we never get tired of giving them instructions and motivation. Their competitive spirit is already there; we just keep pushing them to bring it out.”

The best-of-three series heads back to Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City for Game 2 on Wednesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.

Read more: Third time’s a charm: DLSU, NU clash for crown in UAAP women’s volleyball