V-League: Lady Bulldogs dominate Lady Altas
Photo by Celest R. Flores/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University made quick work of NCAA reigning titlist Perpetual Help, 25-20, 25-14, 25-15, in the opening day of the 11th Shakey’s V-League first conference Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs, after a bitter end to their campaign in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, opened up their title retention bid in the V-League even sans a guest player or foreign reinforcement.
“We’re still looking for an import,” new head coach Ariel Dela Cruz said. “I know my players can fight here in the elimination round even without a guest player.”
After the Lady Altas put on a fight in the opening set, the Lady Bulldogs just found a way to deflate their confidence with their superior blocking and were never threatened again.
Dindin Santiago led NU’s domination with 12 points, half of which coming from the service line, while Myla Pablo and and Jaja Santiago combined for 19.
From just 16-13 lead in the third set, the Bulldogs went on a 9-2 blast, capped by a hit from Dindin, to finish off the hapless Lady Altas.
Despite the dominating effort, Dela Cruz thought NU could’ve done better.
“We’re a bit rusty after our campaign in the UAAP, especially the players were busy with their exams since last week. But overall, it was a good performance against the NCAA champion,” he said.
Honey Royse Tubino led the Lady Altas for naught with 16 points and accounted for their only block point of the night. Fellow veteran player Norie Diaz added nine while the rest of the team combined for eight.
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