NATIONAL University (NU) survived two grueling do-or-die games on Saturday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with its men’s team advancing to the finals and its women’s squad moving further in the step-ladder semifinals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 volleyball tournament.
The Bulldogs toppled the No. 2 seed University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers’ twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, 25-18, 25-23, 25-23, earlier Saturday afternoon to set up another title showdown against Ateneo de Manila starting on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
The Bulldogs, who are eyeing a third-straight crown, had to rally in the second set to frustrate the Growling Tigers, whose ace hitter Romnick Rico, committed a costly service error to close out the game.
“Lumabas na talaga ’yung tunay na game namin. ’Yan ang hinahanap namin noong second round,” said Coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose Bulldogs lost three straight late in the eliminations that dropped them out of the top 2.
The third-seeded Lady Bulldogs survived a pesky Far Eastern University (FEU) side that had ace Lady Tamaraw Bernadeth Pons firing from all cylinders, which made the sep-ladder semifinals after ousting UST in a knockout match for the No. 4 seed on Wednesday.
”Maganda ang lamang namin sa third set, nauubos lang kami sa errors. Naiba ang timpla ng setting,” said a relieved Lady Bulldogs Coach Roger Gorayeb. “Maganda lahat ng first two sets, ’yung reception, setting at combination ng attacks.”
Myla Pablo had an impressive all-around game with 22 points and six digs, while Jaja Santiago had two service aces to finish with 20 hits for the NU, which has gone 7-3 won-lost since Gorayeb took over in January.
Jorelle Singh also proved deadly for NU with 20 points off 15 attacks and four service aces.
Pons closed out her Season 77 campaign not only with impressive numbers—16 points—but also with a court leadership that almost pulled the rug from under the Lady Bulldogs. Heather Anne Guino-o contributed 13 ponts for FEU.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza