Bella Belen, left, and the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate during a win over the La Salle Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 87.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–National University (NU) came up with a statement win to open its title-retention bid by dominating La Salle, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18, in the the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Bella Belen finished with 14 points out of 10 attacks, three aces and a block while Alyssa Solomon contributed 13 points, all but one coming from attacks to power the Lady Bulldogs, who are eyeing their third championship in four seasons.

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“Syempre happy ako na nanalo kami. In five sets or three sets, pareho lang naman pero syempre three sets medyo mahirap gawin sa La Salle so happy kami kasi nakuha namin sa straight sets,” new NU mentor Sherwin Meneses said.

READ: NU star Alyssa Solomon says UAAP Season 87 is her last

NU coach Sherwin Meneses, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon talk about their opening day win vs La Salle. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/7LHeP7H6v6

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 16, 2025

Middle blocker Alexa Mata added 10 points as playmaker Lams Lamina activated her hitters with 20 excellent sets to immediately give Meneses his first win witnessed by 16,624 fans.

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“Sinabi na namin na dapat first game maganda agad ‘yung pasok namin as a team. Kailangan yung pagtatyaga namin, andon kasi yung La Salle, champion team po sila. Palaban yung La Sallle so dapat mas palaban po kami,” Belen said.

“Trinabaho po talaga namin start pa lang sa training and tune-ups. Happy po kami na nagawa po namin agad today,” Solomon said.

The Lady Bulldogs kept their feet on the gas pedal and, imposing their will on the Lady Spikers with an 8-1 run in the third frame for a 15-7 advantage.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

An Erin Pangilinan quick hit gave NU to a 22-13 spread followed by two more from Mata to reach match point. Belen committed a service error as Angel Canino scored, 24-18, before a costly service error by La Salle ended the affair.

Shevana Laput was the only Lady Spiker to reach double-digits with 18 attack points.

NU aims to keep the ball rolling on Wednesday against Ateneo while La Salle looks to immediately turn things around on Saturday against Adamson, both at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.