The rejuvenated National University Lady Bulldogs passed their first test on a high note after they bumped off Laoag Power Smashers in four sets, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, and took their first win of the 13th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference Saturday evening in San Juan City.
National U started hot with an 8-5 lead in the first set, before Laoag kept the game close with Gemma Galanza in charge. Errors, however, spelled doomed for the Power Smashers as Risa Sato put the Sampaloc-based spikers at set point with a block, 24-20. Aiko Urdas took the first set for the Lady Bulldogs with an off-speed shot.
Laoag made some adjustments on defense in the following frame and Adamson standouts Myle Paat and Galanza took over the offense for the squad. After trailing at 7-11, the Power Smashers strung up 7 consecutive points to turn the second set on their favor. Laoag did not look back as they tied the game at a set apiece, 25-20.
The Lady Bulldogs then took control of the match as second-year spiker-turned-setter Jasmine Nabor orchestrated the attack. Team captain Jaja Santiago fired off from quick attacks, while the other middle blocker Risa Sato chipped in some points from the service line. Despite some fight from Laoag, Santiago closed out the third set with a booming quick hit for a 25-23 win.
“Magandang simula ito. Si Jas matagal ng hindi nag-seset yan,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb said. “Mas masaya lang talaga siguro sila ngayon. Naalala ko yung first year ko sa Ateneo na lima bago kong players, dito lima rin sila.”
NU pulled away in the fourth set, forcing Laoag cead Coach Nes Pamilar to dig deep to his bench. TIP stalwart Alyssa Layug poured in three straight attacks to keep the Power Smashers within striking distance. However, the Lady Bulldogs showed their strength and composure despite going undermanned as they finished the match off a Nabor block on Galanza.
National U only had 10 players in their line-up due to the player exodus the team experience. For Gorayeb, he stressed that it is not always about the numbers. “Maski ako nagugulat. Ang laking pagbabago sana magtuloy-tuloy ito,” Gorayeb added.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘strength does not come in numbers.’ Ngayon ten lang kami nag-eensayo pero mas relax sila ngayon.”
Santiago paced the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, with 16 attacks and four blocks, while Sato added 12. Nabor scored 10, four off them off blocks. Paat and Galanza had 16 and 14 respectively for Laoag.
NU (1-0) tries to follow up on this win when they face Pocari Sweat on Wednesday, June 1. Meanwhile, Laoag (0-1) face the debuting-Team Iriga on Monday, May 30.
The Scores:
NU (3) – Santiago 21, Sato 12, Nabor 10, Singh 9, Urdas 8, Doromal 5, Chavez (L), Valdez (L).
Laoag (1) – Paat 16, Galanza 14, Prado 9, Sta. Rita 7, Saet 4, Villegas 4, Layug 3, Eulalio 2, Sante 2, Tan 0, Emnas 0, Galang (L), Gillego (L).
