The National University Lady Bulldogs continued their climb up the the UAAP food chain, taking down the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in four sets 25-16, 26-24,14-25, 25-23 in the Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the MoA Arena earlier today.
Utilizing the towering Jaja Santiago to the hilt, the Lady Bulldogs leapt out to a 12-4 lead and never looked back in the first set. La Salle seemed to have similar control of the following frame, leading 16-10. But NU were just waiting for Santiago to rotate back to the front row. With the middle blocker back in tow, NU whittled the lead down and forced a 23-all deadlock. The Lady Bulldogs then controlled the momentum, scoring off spikes and serves to snatch the set in an extended deuce.
La Salle came back with a fury in the third set and blew the Lady Bulldogs out of the water right from the first point. La Salle again seemed to have control of the fourth set, leading 20-14. However, NU’s two open hitters, Myla Pablo and Jorelle Singh, led an inspired 9-1 run that shook the slumping Lady Spikers. Ahead 23-21, NU surrendered an error, then an attack that forced a tie. After a timeout, the Lady Bulldogs put the match out of reach, with Doria scoring the game-winning ace.
Myla Pablo, Jorelle Singh, and Jaja Santiago had 16 points each.
“Parang masyado silang natuwa noong nanalo kami noong second set,” said NU head coach Roger Gorayeb. “Kaya buti na lang bumawi sila noong mga susunod na set. Malaking tulong ito para sa kumpiyansa namin sa susunod.”
Majoy Baron led all Lady Spikers 19 points with 8 blocks. Mika Reyes had 12 points, while Ara Galang managed 10 markers.
NU (2-1) have the University of the East Lady Warriors (0-2) next on Sunday, 2 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre. DLSU (2-1) take on the Adamson University Lady Falcons (1-1) on Saturday 4 p.m. also at the FilOil Centre.
The Scores
NU (3) – Doria 16, Santiago 16, Pablo 16, Doria 6, Nabor 5, Perez 0, Diolan 0, General (L)
DLSU (1) – Baron 19, Reyes 12, Galang 10, Cerveza 9, Tiamzon 6, Luna 5, Fajardo 4, Demecillo 0, Macandilo (L)
