With the sting of a three game losing steeak hanging over their heads, the NU Lady Bulldogs made short work of the UE Lady Warriors with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-15, thrashing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU simply overwhelmed theit foes with their superior height and athleticism. The Lady Bulldogs registered 11 blocks to UE’s 0 while also out-spiking them, 36-29. NU’s devastating offense was bannered by sophomore, Jaja Santiago, who led her team in scoring with 14 points off 10 attacks and four blocks while Myla Pablo dropped 12 points off 11 attacks and an ace.
The Lady Bulldogs tore through the Lady Warriors in the first set, eatablishing a 14-4 lead behind earth-shattering attacks from Jaja Santiago and Riza Mandapat. UE sophomore, Angelica Dacaymat, kept her team afloat, finishing off multiple combination plays and drilling outside hits to trim NU’s lead to 14-8. NU went for the jugular in midway through the set, feeding the ball to the 6’4 Jaja Santiago every chance they got to seal the set for NU.
With NU Coach, Roger Gorayeb, slotting in his bench players and rookies, the Lady Warriors kept up with the Nationalians in the second set, even taking a short lived 11-10 lead. NU’s seldom-used subs, Klarice Abriam and rookie, Roma Doromal came through midway through the set, holding down the Bulldogs’ net defense and delivering spot attacks. Graduating veteran, Myla Pablo, pulled her team to their second set win with four points late in the set.
The third set began with UE sophomore team captain, Shaya Adorador, delivered UE’s first three points to spark her team. The girls from Recto, however could not sustain their clean play, as they surrendered one error after another, allowing NU to take the match.
The Lady Warriors were led by Antipolo native, Angelica Dacaymat who registered 10 of her 11 points in he first two sets while returning veteran, Leuseht Dawis and Shaya Adorador pitched in six points apiece.
With the win, NU moves up to third in the standings, tied with UST at 5-6 while UE is yet to win a game for the season.
“Sabi ko nga tapos iyung pagiging observer ko sa kanila, kailangan ko na ipupush ko na iyung gustong kong mangyare, so after nung game namin sa Ateneo sabi nga nila (NU) nagkaroon ng martial law. So nagkaroon ng adjustment period. Nung sa game namin sa La Salle lumabas na talaga iyung laro namin,” said Coach Gorayeb when asked about his three game skid.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata (NU) we need to start winning games,” continued Coach Roger.
The Lady Bulldogs have the FEU Lady Tams in their next match, a team they seept in the first round, on Valentine’s day at the San Juan Arena while the Lady Warriors will face the DLSU Lady Spikers at the MoA Arena on Wednesday.
The Scores
NU – Santiago 14, Pablo 12, Mandapat 7, Dadang 6, Singh 4, Soliven 3, Pablo Ma. 3, Perez 1, Doromal 1, Doria 1, Abriam 1, Valdez (L) 0, GenerL (L) 0
UE – Dacaymat 11, Dawis 6, Adorador 6, Manansala 4, Baliton 2, Ponon 1, Alcayde 1, Bendong 0, Juanillo 0, Ramos 0, Arado (L) 0
