V-League: NU overcomes UST rally in thriller for 2-0 start

NU survived UST in five sets Sunday at the Arena in San Juan. Contributed Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University blew a 2-0 set lead before holding off University of Santo Tomas, 25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 24-26, 15-10, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Bulldogs, who grabbed an early lead in the standings in Group B with a 2-0 record, averted a major collapse thanks to timely hits by skipper Dindin Santiago.

“We won the first two sets but we relaxed during the next two. We just [focused] on our blocking in the fifth set,” said NU coach Ariel dela Cruz.

Santiago only had 11 points, five coming off blocks, but two of her points came in the deciding set when NU needed it most.

The Lady Bulldogs took an 11-7 edge in the fifth set before the Tigresses pulled to within a point, 10-11, on a block by Ria Meneses off an attempt by Mina Aganon.

But the six-foot-one Santiago scored on back-to-back possessions — the last finding a hole on UST’s defense that gave NU a 13-10 cushion.

Ivy Perez scored on an ace after the ball grazed the net before Aganon’s hit sealed the Lady Bulldogs’ victory.

NU also spoiled the debut of high school standout EJ Laure, who led the Tigresses with a game-high 23 points.

Laure, daughter of PBA veteran Eddie Laure, sparked UST’s comeback from two sets down. Meneses also played big with 16 points, half of which came from blocks.

“She didn’t look like a high school player. She’s played like a veteran and she’s really good,” marveled dela Cruz of the 16-year-old Laure, who was named MVP in the UAAP girls division after leading UST to the title.

Aganon led NU, which beat defending NCAA champion Perpetual Help in straight sets in its first game, with 17 points. Jaja Santiago added 14 points while Aiko Urdas and Myla Pablo also tallied 11 each.