The National University Lady Bulldogs had a super team once upon a time. With both the Santiago sisters, Myla Pablo, Jen Reyes, and a healthy Aiko Urdas in tow, NU had been unstoppable in UAAP Season 76.
But the clandestine Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles were on their way to making history, wiping out one of the strongest NU teams in history. The Lady Bulldogs had not won against Ateneo since then…
…until today. The Lady Bulldogs, still with a Santiago and the best setter in their program’s history, Jasmine Nabor, have finally put to rest nearly three years of ghosts, decisively handling the Lady Eagles in four sets, 25-17, 25-13, 19-25, 29-27, to nail their second win in UAAP Season 79 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Since head coach Roger Gorayeb came into the program, the Lady Bulldogs have won against everybody in the UAAP except the Ateneo.
“Malaking bagay ito for our confidence. Lahat natatalo namin dito except sa Ateneo kaya ngayon nakita na nila na kaya namin, na hindi naman imposible,” Gorayeb declared.
The Lady Bulldogs dominated the first two sets but failed to sustain their form. The Lady Eagles struck back in the third frame to extend the match. A fifth set seemed inevitable with Ateneo leading 12-4 in the fourth set.
“Nawala ‘yung confidence. Parang na-rattle sila. Mabuti naka-recover sila. Nawala ‘yung pasa at ‘yung diskarte namin. Mabuti at naibalik,” Gorayeb recalled.
But National U battled back slowly and forced a deuce. Jaja Santiago kept the Lady Bulldogs afloat in the stretch, setting up Risa Sato’s late-game block that sealed the match.
Santiago poured in 26 points off 19 attacks, six blocks, and an ace. Jorelle Singh and Roma Doromal provided ample support, dishing out 16 and 12 points, respectively. Jasmine Nabor tossed 43 excellent sets to go with eight points.
NU (2-0) will try to keep their streak going against the struggling Adamson University Lady Falcons (0-2) on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Bea De Leon tallied 14 points for the Loyola-based spikers while Jhoana Maraguinot added 12.
Ateneo (1-1) will sue for a bounce-back game against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (2-0), also on Sunday.
The Scores
NU (3) – Santiago 26, Singh 16, Sato 12, Nabor 8, Urdas 7, Doromal 6, Paran 0, Valdez (L)
ADMU (1) – De Leon 14, Maraguinot 12, Morente 11, Tolentino 9, Madayag 4, Morado 4, Gequillana 1, Samonte 1, Tan (L)
