UAAP Volleyball: NU puts down La Salle in four sets

A jubilant NU Lady Bulldogs slay La Salle Lady Spikers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University used a spirited fourth set to dismantle De La Salle University, 25-16, 26-24, 14-25, 25-23, for its second win in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament  Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Roselyn Doria capped off the Lady Bulldogs’ 11-3 rabid run in the fourth set with a beautiful service ace, sending NU to jubilation along with a 2-1 record behind Ateneo’s 3-0.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb hopes the victory would propel his team’s maturity and attitude to a new level and inspire them for the remainder of the season.

“Ito siguro sa panalo na ito maniniwala na sila sa sarili nila, kasi sabi ko sa kanila for the past several years ‘third lang kayo nung dumating ako sa inyo,’” Gorayeb said who became NU’s head coach in 2013.

“Inulit ko sa kanila, ‘napakalaking bagay na manalo ka sa isang team katulad ng La Salle.’”

La Salle had a 20-14 lead in the fourth set before Myla Pablo came alive in the latter part of the period, tying the game at 21-21 before giving the Lady Bulldogs the 23-21 lead.

Pablo then bounced attacked two Lady Spikers for the 24-23 match point.

Gorayeb said his team still isn’t ready to handle big leads, allowing La Salle to close the third set and force a fourth.

“Kanina lamang kaming dalawa sa third set then sobrang baba nung third. Kasi tong mga bata na to, kailangan pumasok sa isip at sa puso nila na kaya nilang manalo sa mga malalaking team din,” Gorayeb said.

“Makikita mo talaga pagdating sa ganyang labanan, napaka naïve nila parang batang nabigyan mo lang ng kung ano tuwang tuwa na, babaw ng kaligayahan nila.”

Three players led the Lady Bulldogs in the attack with Pablo, Jorelle Singh, and Jaja Santiago finishing with 16 points apiece.

Mary Joy Baron led the 2-1 Lady Spikers with 19 points while Mika Reyes and Ara Galang added 12 and 10 points, respectively.