UST Tigresses vs NU Lady Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University took the fire out of University of Santo Tomas late in the match to hack out a 25-22, 25-23, 25-11 triumph and clinch the No. 2 spot in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the charge as the Lady Bulldogs demolished the Tigresses in the third frame after rallying from a 12-18 deficit to salvage the second set.
NU coach Roger Gorayeb said the Lady Bulldogs were lucky to pull off the crucial win, which assured them of the second seed in the semifinals regardless of the result of their last game versus UAAP champion Ateneo next week.
“We committed a lot of errors,” said Gorayeb, noting their 26 miscues off poor reception, service errors and net violations. “UST just played below their usual [performance level].”
Santiago-Manabat finished with 13 points from 10 kills and three blocks to lead the Lady Bulldogs, who improved to 5-1.
In the second game, University of the Philippines picked up its first win in the round versus St. Benilde, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19, in a battle between eliminated teams.
Justine Dorog powered the Lady Maroons with 20 points, 18 coming off attacks.
UST fell into a tie for third with idle Far Eastern University at 4-2, just a game ahead of the 3-3 card of fellow semifinal hopeful Arellano.
After a running attack from Santiago-Manabat sealed the tight first set, 25-22, the Tigresses looked poised to level the match after racing to an 18-12 edge in the second frame.
NU responded though with a five-point cluster to trim UST’s lead, 18-17.