Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ateneo’s supporters came in droves, planning to celebrate a championship. National University sent the blue-and-white swarm home disappointed.
The Lady Bulldogs refused to relinquish a set and clipped the Lady Eagles, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, to rule the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Myla Pablo pulled her team out of harm’s way every time Ateneo touched off a potential fightback, particularly in the second and third sets where the majority of her 15 hits found the cracks in their rivals’ defense.
“It was timing I guess. I was there at the right spots,” said Pablo, basking in the adulation of the thick NU crowd.
She nailed the Finals MVP award.
Jorelle Singh was also in the groove with 10 hits while siblings Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat used their length at the net to cover the open spaces.
NU coach Roger Gorayeb, who brought the usually reticent Pablo to the peak of confidence, won his second straight championship this year after steering PLDT Home to the Open Conference title three months ago with a cast of players from different schools.
“I really didn’t do anything. They’re (players) the ones who should be given credit,” said the multititled Gorayeb, after beating Ateneo, the team he helped mold into championship form after coaching the school for five years.
“They just followed my instructions during our practices and did their best.”
Conference MVP Alyssa Valdez had 14 points, with the majority of her production in the third set aimed at preventing the Lady Eagles from completely nosediving.
“They’re an experienced team. This will be a learning experience and an inspiration for us in the UAAP,” said Valdez.
After dropping the opening set, the Lady Eagles regrouped in the next and pushed the Lady Bulldogs to the edge.
Bea De Leon’s service ace gave Ateneo the lead, 24-23, for the first time only to allow the game to slip from their grasp.
Three consecutive NU points—Santiago’s hit, a block on Jhoanna Maraguinot and a Maraguinot error—extinguished the hopes of the Lady Eagles in the pivotal second set.
From thereon, the Lady Bulldogs’ confidence grew as they raced to a 9-2 advantage in the third, before Amy Ahomiro and Valdez conspired to pull Ateneo within a point.
But Pablo, Singh and Santiago regained their composure while the Lady Eagles accelerated their downfall late in the set with a pair of service errors.