National University star Alyssa Solomon spiking it against Far Eastern University‘s blockers during their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball clash. Photo from UAAP Media. 

MANILA (UPDATED) — Defending champion National University is back in the win column of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball after their shock loss to the University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

Coming off a five-set defeat to UP, the Lady Bulldogs bounced back by moving past Far Eastern University, 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18, during their Round 2 matchup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The defending champions improved to 9-1 after this game, and heading the charge for them was Alyssa Solomon who fired a 30-point outing on top of four digs.

"Thankful ako sa nangyari sa UP game naming kasi para sakin nakita ko siya as a wake-up call," said the Alas Pilipinas star. "Dapat 'di kami maging complacent talaga kahit number one kami."

"After ng game na yon, nag move forward agad kami at trinabaho namin kung ano yung mga dapat trabahuhin," she added.

Also a standout was Bella Belen who scattered 18 markers, 14 digs, and 14 receptions, while Vange Alinsug and Lams Lamina contributed 13 points and 30 excellent sets, respectively. 

Already trailing by nine, 19-10, in the fourth set, the Lady Tamaraws rallied back and got as close as three, 20-17.

But NU, unlike their previous match, showed composure this time around.

The Lady Bulldogs retaliated with a five-to-one spurt to fend off their Morayta-based counterparts as Belen took charge by delivering the closing blows for her squad. 

On the other hand, Bakanke, who brought FEU to within three earlier, led her squad with 21 points and six digs, but these did not help their cause as they fell to 6-4 in the team standings.