Panique’s 27 Points Propel NU to Stunning Comeback
PASAY CITY, Metro Manila — National University mounted a stunning comeback on Saturday night, overturning a two-set deficit to defeat Far Eastern University, 17-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena. At the centre of the rally stood Arah Panique, who unleashed a career-high 27 points to power the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-0 unbeaten record.
NU appeared on the brink of collapse after dropping the first two sets in convincing fashion. Instead, the Lady Bulldogs steadied, recalibrated and then surged, turning a flat opening into a five-set thriller that left FEU reeling and the Pasay crowd on its feet.
A Career Night Fuels a Comeback
Panique delivered when NU needed resolve most. She finished with 23 attacks, three blocks, one ace and six digs, slicing through FEU’s defence with precision and authority. Her final two points sealed the victory, the last coming after an unsuccessful net-touch challenge by FEU that underscored the razor-thin margins of the deciding set.
“I was just inspired by my teammates because I witnessed their determination to win and their enthusiasm,” Panique said after the match. “I just focused on staying calm on the court and considered how I could contribute.”
She added: “I’m really pleased because I noticed our team struggled in the first two sets, which motivated me to perform at my best. The team relied on me, and I understood that I had to rise to the occasion.”
Her performance drew praise across the arena and on broadcasts, where one tagline neatly captured the moment: “DON’T PANIQUE, IT’S ORGANIC.”
From Collapse to Control
FEU dominated early, taking the first two sets 25-17 and 25-16 with disciplined blocking and sharp attacks. NU struggled to contain the Tamaraws’ pace and appeared out of rhythm.
The third set marked the shift. NU tightened its defence and found better angles in transition, claiming it 25-19. Confidence returned in the fourth, where the Lady Bulldogs controlled key rallies to win 25-21 and force a decider.
In the fifth set, NU trailed 7-11, staring at defeat once again. A 4-0 run pulled them level, and another burst — sparked by Sam Cantada — swung the momentum decisively. Cantada finished with 11 points, while Vange Alinsug added 15 points, all from attacks, offering critical support to Panique’s onslaught.
The Lady Bulldogs completed the reverse sweep with the composure of a team that refused to concede, transforming early vulnerability into late authority.
FEU’s Early Promise Fades
For FEU, the loss spoiled what had been an assertive opening. Gerz Petallo led the Tamaraws with 14 points, while Cla Loresco added 12, Alyzza Devosora 11 and Jaz Ellarina 10. The Tamaraws fell to 1-2 despite controlling large stretches of the first half of the match.
The defeat underscored the fine margins in collegiate volleyball, where sustaining intensity over five sets often proves decisive. FEU’s challenge now is to convert fast starts into complete performances as the first round unfolds.
An Early Statement in Season 88
NU’s third consecutive victory establishes the Lady Bulldogs as early pace-setters in UAAP Season 88. More than the standings, however, Saturday’s result signalled the team’s resilience. Reverse sweeps are as much psychological as tactical — an erosion of doubt and a steady accumulation of belief.
For thousands of students and families watching in the arena and on free-to-air broadcasts, the match delivered a stirring narrative: a team pushed to the brink, then carried back by poise and persistence. In a city where weekend traffic clogged roads around the venue, the drama inside offered an offsetting release — a reminder of sport’s capacity to unite and uplift.
As the tournament progresses, NU will carry forward not only an unblemished record, but the knowledge that it can withstand pressure when matches tilt toward collapse. With Panique in commanding form, the Lady Bulldogs have set an early benchmark — and thrown down a challenge to the rest of the league.
