GETTING another big game from skipper Dindin Santiago, National U fought back from a set down to dump stubborn Adamson, 24-26, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22, yesterday to seal a first finals appearance in the Shakey’s V-League at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Santiago was a pillar of strength for the youthful Lady Bulldogs, who produced a couple of sterling performances to clinch the series, 2-1, and seal a title showdown with Ateneo.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After dropping the semifinal series opener to the Lady Falcons, the Lady Bulldogs came back with a gutsy five-set win last Thursday before taking the decider to finally reap the rewards of a revitalized volleyball program that started three years ago.
“We’re happy to be in the finals for the first time, but we’re not done yet,” said NU coach Edjet Mabbayad in Filipino. “We dont want this opportunity to slip.”
Santiago, the skipper, provided the flash of inspiration with 24 points while Myla Pablo backstopped her with 20 points, including the match- winning kill.
Carmina Aganon and Jaja Santiago also combined for 20 points for the Lady Bulldogs who refused to be rattled after losing the first set.
Pau Soriano paced Adamson with 19 points while Mylene Paat and guest player Angela Benting finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Lady Bulldogs put the clamps on Benting who torched them with 28 points in Game 1. Benting only managed 23 points in Games 2 and 3.
Adamson actually won the first set after rallying from a 16-21 deficit behind Paat, Benting and Jennifer Macatuno.
But the Lady Bulldogs hit their stride in the next set, building an early 15-7 advantage and not allowing Adamson to get to within four points the rest of the way.