‘Rebuilding’ NU trumps Laoag in V-League opener

NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate their opening win the Shakey’s V-League.

National University began its rebuilding phase with a convincing victory over Laoag, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, in the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference Saturday at San Juan Arena.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb only fielded 11 players, with setter-spiker hybrid Jasmin Nabor putting the finishing touch in their win with a block on Jema Galanza.

Gorayeb credited Nabong’s play that eventually built up their performance against the Power Smashers.

“Si Jas matagal nang di naglalaro as setter,” said Gorayeb. “Nakakatuwa naman kasi si Jas nadadala niya yung team and andiyan pa si [Risa] Sato.”

“Masaya ako kasi maganda simula namin, sana tuluy-tuloy.”

Jorelle Singh gave the Lady Bulldogs the 24-21 match point with an off-the-block kill.

Gorayeb said NU is in the rebuilding phase “in the sense” because they still lack the players to even pull off a full scrimmage.

NU had as much as 18 players during the UAAP Season but Gorayeb had to settle with seven less this time around.

Jaja Santiago led NU with 21 points while Sato and Nabor added 12 and 10, respectively.

Mylene Paat led Laoag with 16 points while Galanza added 14.