MANILA, Philippines — Drawing big games from their stars, National University and Ateneo zeroed in on quarterfinal berths with contrasting wins Sunday in the Shakey’s V-League Season II Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Powered by Jaja Santiago, the Lady Bulldogs smashed Philippine National Police, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18, to arrest a two-game slide.
The Lady Eagles, with Alyssa Valdez taking charge at crucial moments, also came away with their second win but not before outlasting a gritty University of the Philippines, 25-15, 24-26, 25-21, 21-25, 15-11.
Valdez notched a tournament-best 31 points while Michelle Morente delivered 16 for the Lady Eagles who wrapped up the victory in an hour and 58 minutes.
The Lady Eagles proved superior with 69 attack points, but allowed the Maroons into the match with their 39 errors.
Both NU and Ateneo improved to a 2-2, while the Lady Patrollers and Lady Maroons virtually bowed out of contention by falling to 0-5.
Santiago stood at the forefront of the Lady Bulldogs attack with 18 points, 12 coming off hits, an output matched by Myla Pablo.
Straight-sets losses to Army and Cagayan Valley put the Lady Bulldogs’ hopes of advancing in peril, before they responded with poise and resolve to take the first set.
It took a defensive adjustment from coach Ariel dela Cruz to give NU control of the game in the next two sets.
“We made defensive adjustments in the second set that’s why the complexion of the game changed,” said Dela Cruz after the Lady Bulldogs finished off the Lady Patrollers in 73 minutes.
The Lady Bulldogs put emphasis on closing the attacking angles for Janine Marciano and Frances Molina.
Santiago also had three blocks and the same number of aces for the Lady Bulldogs who face PLDT Home Telpad Tuesday.
The Lady Bulldogs had just five more kills than their foes with 37, but PNP couldn’t get their attack going as setter Jane Ticar struggled.