NATIONAL University’s returning players staged a torrid comeback as the Lady Bulldogs spoiled Far Eastern University’s sweep bid, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, to claim the top seed in Group A of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
In Group B, Ateneo ripped Technological Institute of the Philippines, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13, to emerge as the only unbeaten team on the penultimate day of the elimination round. Alyssa Valdez shone us always with 16 points as the Lady Eagles completed a 5-0 sweep.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Myla Pablo, fresh from an international stint with the Philippine team, combined for 28 points as the Lady Bulldogs inflicted a first loss on the Lady Tamaraws in five games.
Arellano made it a three-way tie at 4-1 as the Lady Chiefs tripped University of the Philippines, 25-23, 27-29, 25-23, 25-22, in the second match.
But the Lady Bulldogs will march into the quarterfinals as the No. 1 squad due to a superior tiebreak score.
The Lady Tamaraws settled for second, while the Lady Chiefs gained third spot going into the next round, where teams will carry their win-loss record.
Santiago-Manabat and Pablo suited up for the national team in a Vietnam tournament and missed two NU matches, including the Lady Bulldogs’ first loss to the Lady Chiefs two weeks ago.