NU Lady Bulldogs. Photo by August Dela Cruz/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — In one matchup that could have spelled disaster for them, the National University Lady Bulldogs got their first win of the UAAP Season 77 Volleyball tournament at the expense of the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons 3-2, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-12, 15-9, at Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday evening.
Getting their groove on during the fourth set, the Lady Bulldogs carried the wave onto the final set with their offense clicking to a 5-1 start courtesy of a service ace from Jaja Santiago.
Impressive during her team’s comeback, Jorelle Singh gave NU a 1-2 win-loss card with a brilliant hit that bounced off the defense of the Lady Maroons.
“It’s not the time to panic, but if would be hard to fall to a 0-3 start,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Dante dela Cruz said. “The win was not a beautiful one, but a win is a win.”
UP looked to score an upset over NU with a 2-1 set lead but the Lady Bulldogs became rabid in the fourth with a 7-1 run that put them up 17-7 with Singh scoring back-to-back hits.
Myla Pablo then put NU up 23-12 with consecutive hits that rattled the UP defense as the Lady Maroons ultimately faltered with back-to-back errors that paved the way for a fifth set, which led to their 0-2 record.
Dela Cruz added that their first two games were tough as they faced last year’s finalists Ateneo and De La Salle.
“The first two games were tough, and I think the team was still carrying the burden of those losses,” dela Cruz said. “I hope this win helps the morale of our players.”
Santiago scored 20 points for the Lady Bulldogs with the rookie Singh also putting up 20 big ones.
Pablo added 15 while Rizza Mandapat scored 11.
Kathy Bersola and Vina Alinas achieved 16 apiece while Nicole Tiamzon added 14 for the error-plagued Lady Maroons.
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