NATIONAL University (NU) outlasted crowd darling Ateneo de Manila in straight sets, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, to pocket the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference title in their do-or-die showdown on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Myla Pablo, Jorelle Singhdis and sisters Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago displayed stellar performances, propelling the Lady Bulldogs to their second V-League title in the deciding Game Three of the series.
NU was on fire all gamelong and did not give the Lady Eagles a chance to recover.
The Lady Bulldogs opened the third set with a 9-2 spread but Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez torched NU with five straight points, including three straight service aces, to equalize the game at 10 apiece.
But the Lady Bulldogs continued to surge for an 18-12 breather and inched closer to the crown with a 21-16 edge. The attack errors of the Lady Eagles made it easy for NU to clinch the crown.
Lady Bulldogs Head Coach Roger Gorayeb praised his players for showing a sensational conference.
“’Yung mga bata, sila ’yung dapat purihin diyan dahil wala naman silang ginawa kundi sundin lang ’yung inuutos ko,” Gorayeb said.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina, itong laro na ito i-dedicate niyo ’yan para sa mga sarili niyo dahil proud na ang eskwelahan niyo at naging karangalan na ng mga magulang niyo na nandito kayo,” he added.
Pablo, who was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), led NU with 15 hits, including 13 attack points, an ace and a block.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay coach kasi siya ‘yung tumatayo kong tatay sa court, lagi kasi niyang ina-advice sa akin na ‘magkaka-award ka,’” said Pablo, who gave Gorayeb a hug after receiving the MVP plum.
Dindin Manabat chipped in 11 markers, while sister Jaja and sophomore player Jorelle Singh added 10 each.
Only two Ateneo players tallied double digits. Valdez, the conference’s MVP, was limited to 14 points, including three service aces, while de Leon added 10.
It was NU’s second championship but felt like the first it last won in Season 10, also against Ateneo in a do-or-die match, but Gorayeb was at the opposing side.
And no one was happier than Gorayeb seeing his current team playing against his former players.
“Masaya ako as a coach kasi napa champion ko ‘yung NU sa V-League at masaya rin ako para sa Ateneo kasi mga dati kong players ’yan. Tapos kami ’yung nag-finals diba napakasarap nun, nagkataon lang na nandun ako sa kabila,” Gorayeb said.
Image credits: Roy Domingo