Despite fluctuating effort throughout the match, the National University Lady Bulldogs still had enough energy to floor the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-15, 25-23, 16-25, 25-13, to open the UAAP Women’s Volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU overcame an opening Adamson flurry. From being down 2-5, the Lady Bulldogs surged ahead 16-9, thanks to Adamson’s errors. The Lady Falcons came within five, 20-15, before Jaja Santiago and Jasmine conspired to give the Lady Bulldogs the first set.
The Lady Falcons seemingly found their groove in the second set, sitting on a 22-18 cushion following a smart play from setter Fhen Emnas. But the Lady Bulldogs imposed their will, tying the set at 22 after Risa Sato served back-to-back aces. Adamson University reached 23 first, but Santiago again lifted National U to the win with consecutive blocks that clinched the 2-0 set lead.
Like last season, NU’s habitual collapse came in the third set. Giving up errors and free balls, the Lady Bulldogs slipped into a 9-16 hole which they could not get out of.
Steaming from a set loss, National University muffled Adamson’s offense in the fourth set, setting the tone with three straight blocks in their first seven points. The Lady Bulldogs had the match in hand after grabbing a 19-10 advantage.
“We really made a lot of errors in the third set. But I thought we recovered well from it,” said new NU head coach Babes Castillo.
“We definitely had problems with our conditioning like in the third set. Kumbaga, para kaming nawalan ng battery. We’re definitely going to need to adjust,” the multi-time juniors champion mentor added.
Santiago finished with a 16 points off 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. Open hitter Aiko Urdas and Audrey Paran each provided nine markers.
Adamson rookie Chiara Permentilla made a splendid debut, scoring 12 points. Returning opposite hitter Mylene Paat added 11 markers.
The Lady Bulldogs will try to string together a two-game winning streak on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre where they face the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles. NU swept their season series in Season 79. The Lady Falcons will try to bounce back next Saturday against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
The Scores:
NU (3) – Santiago 16, Paran 9, Urdas 9, Doria 8, Sato 8, Singh 1, Doromal 0, Chavez (L)
AdU (1) – Permentilla 12, Paat 11, Dacoron 9, Soyud 7, Galanza 6, Emnas 4, Perez 2, Uy 0, Ponce (L)
