Catching multiple breaks in pivotal moments, the National University Lady Bulldogs picked up the first of two pivotal wins they needed to seal a Final Four berth, outlasting the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles for the second time this season, 17-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
NU continued a trend they had started earlier in the season: playing without a libero. Looking like a throwback 90’s squad, the Lady Bulldogs struggled to field Ateneo’s serves in the first set, resulting in a quick Ateneo win.
NU adjusted in the second set, outworking the Lady Eagles, who coughed up errors. A string of Ateneo attack errors buoyed the Lady Bulldogs to a 16-10 lead before NU gave up the lead just as swiftly. NU took their turn in the error fest, giving up seven in a run that tied the set at 20. Serving with her team down, 21-22, Jasmine Nabor powered the Lady Bulldogs back to set point 24-22, before a Michelle Morente service error tied the match at a set apiece.
The third frame was tight, until the Lady Eagles let loose a 4-0 blitz that gave them a permanent edge, 16-11, for the frame. NU then turned the tables, dominating the fourth set after taking a 9-3 lead. Ateneo mounted a last-ditch rally, trimming NU’s lead down to three, 21-24, before Maraguinot gave up another attack error to send the match to a decider.
The fifth set became a duel of extremes. It started with both squads trading aces, then ebbed into a defensive struggle with long rallies. NU ended up on top, 14-11, after a Jaja Santiago tip. Maraguinot scored on a cross-court followed by a Santiago attack error that inched Ateneo within one, 14-13. Almost by fate, the match ended on another Maraguinot attack error.
The Lady Bulldogs showed their struggle on the backline, giving up 20 aces. But the Jhocson-based squad hustled defensively to close the gap.
Santiago led all scorers with 25 points off 18 attacks, six blocks, and an ace. Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh combined for 23 markers.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi talaga tiyanaga nila. Dalwang araw namin inensayo ‘yung ganoong rotation namin na walang libero. Wala na talagang bawian ‘yun. Kailangan na namin mag-step up,” said NU head coach Roger Gorayeb.
NU’s win snaps Ateneo’s eight-game winning streak, and they become the only team other than La Salle to sweep the Lady Eagles in the elimination round since they managed the same feat in Season 76.
The Lady Bulldogs improve their record to 7-4, a half a game ahead of the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses for the third seed. They next play the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (6-5) on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Maraguinot finished with 18 points, while Kat Tolentino added 17.
The Lady Eagles are still first in the standings with a 9-2 record. They face the Adamson University Lady Falcons (0-11) also on Sunday.
The Scores
NU (3) – Santiago 25, Urdas 12, Singh 11, Sato 8, Nabor 6, Paran 3, Doronal 0, Valdez (L)
ADMU (2) – Maraguinot 18, Tolentino 17, De Leon 13, Morente 12, Gopico 6, Morado 3, Samonte 2, Gequillana 1, Madayag 1, Tan (L)
