By: Ernest Tuazon
In its first V-League game in eight years, National University needed to dig deep.
The Lady Bulldogs turned back the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11, kickstarting their campaign in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Kaye Bombita and Myrtle Escanlar led the charge for NU, whose young core showed great potential and promise. They stepped up in the absence of key players Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Arah Panique.
The three are currently competing with Alas Pilipinas Women in the ongoing SEA V-League tournament.
“We still need maturity, especially for the rookies and the players who are not much exposed, so this win is still a big boost to the team and their confidence,” said NU assistant coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Bombita posted a game-high 19 points on 14 attacks, three aces, and two blocks, while Escanlar contributed 16 markers on 15 attacks and two aces.
The Lady Bulldogs rebounded strongly from a tough third set setback, padding a seven-point lead (12-5) to a 14-point advantage (24-10) on a 12-5 blitz to secure the victory.
NU’s efforts to fight back from six points down in the third set went in vain as reigning NCAA Freshman of the Year Gia Maquilang came through with back-to-back hits, spoiling the Lady Bulldogs’ sweep bid and extending the match.
“Marami pa kaming kailangan na adjustment and improvement na kailangan namin gawin, especially since it’s really Belle, Aly, and the senior players’ last year, so they need to get used to the game,” Dimaculangan added.
Maquilang paced Letran in the loss with 15 points on 13 attacks and two aces, while Judielle Nitura contributed 13 markers.
(C) V-League Images
In another UAAP versus NCAA clash, the University of the Philippines swept past Lyceum of the Philippines University with a commanding 25-16, 25-23, 15-25, 25-20 win.
Nina Ytang shone with 16 points from 12 attacks and four blocks, while Kassandra Doering and Irah Jaboneta contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively.
“It’s a positive note for us because, as you know, 70 percent of the UP lineup this year are rookies. We’re happy that most of the rookies are delivering,” said UP head coach Oliver Almadro, reflecting on his team’s performance.
“We can use some of the rookies, but what we need is consistency and maturity.”
On the other hand, the Lady Pirates were led by Heart Bio with 16 points from nine attacks, six blocks, and an ace, and Joan Doguna with 10 points.
