NU ends UP’s UAAP women’s volleyball hopes

MANILA, Philippines—National University dashed University of the Philippines’ semifinal hopes as the Lady Bulldogs hacked out a 25-21, 25-16, 25-15 victory on the last day of eliminations in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Jaja Santiago fired 17 points to power the Lady Bulldogs, who will head into the stepladder semifinals as the third seed with an 8-6 record.

The Lady Maroons had hoped to forge a three-way tie at the fourth spot with University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern U at 6-8.

But Santiago, along with Myla Pablo, just proved too much as the Lady Maroons bowed out near-bottom tied with Adamson at 5-9.

The Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws will dispute the last semifinal berth on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.

The winner will take on the Lady Bulldogs in another knockout match at the start of the stepladder semifinals this weekend.

Defending champion Ateneo completed a 14-0 sweep of the eliminations to jump straight to the Finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage.

La Salle, last season’s runner-up, finished second with a 12-2 card to claim the twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals.