NU deflates La Salle, stays alive for UAAP women’s volleyball championship bid

MANILA, Philippines—That twice-to-beat-advantage just went down the drain.

National University attacked De La Salle University in rapid pace 25-20, 25-20, 25-19, to continue its stepladder climb in the UAAP Season 77 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Friday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the victory, the Lady Bulldogs neutralized the Lady Spikers’ twice-to-beat edge and forced a rubber match on Saturday.

Jaja Santiago stood tall to seal NU’s victory with a convincing block on Mika Reyes that sent the Lady Bulldogs in a frenzy.

Myla Pablo’s back-to-back plays of sterling quality late in the third set catapulted the Lady Bulldogs’ confidence and took the air out of the Lady Spikers.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb said he’s happy with how his team is playing just two months after he was introduced to NU.

“Whatever happens, I’m proud of my players,” Gorayeb said. “Now what I want to see is that they will play with confidence.”

NU hung on to a precarious 21-19 lead in the third set then Pablo’s down the line hit started to give the Lady Bulldogs a rabid sense of confidence.

Pablo then imposed her will on Cyd Demecillo, blocking the Lady Spiker’s hit to put it at 23-19.

A rattled La Salle then committed a team violation that gave NU the 24-19 match point.

It was an offensive display for NU as four Lady Bulldogs finished in double-figures and, as a team, only committed 14 errors compared to La Salle’s 19.

Santiago and Pablo each had 13 to lead NU while Jorelle Singh and Rizza Mandapat added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Ara Galang led La Salle with 14 points while Demecillo added 10.