NU Lady Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University began its quest for another title in the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference on full blast, taking down San Sebastian College, 25-22, 29-27, 25-21, Wednesday at Philsports Arena.
Jaja Santiago showed her might and ended the Lady Bulldogs’ struggles rising up from the middle and sending one home to the Lady Stags’ den.
NU was still tied with San Sebastian 20-20 in the latter part of the third set when the Lady Bulldogs deliberately attacked Grethcel Soltones taking away the defending NCAA MVP’s attacking prowess.
“Yung isang game plan namin ay i-target si Gretch, para kahit papano mawala siya sa game niya, and ma-distract rin siya,” said NU assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad. “Nakita naming okay naman so hindi na naka-atake si Gretch kasi siya rin nag re-receive.”
Santiago showed the way for the defending champions with 27 points as she single-handedly dismantled the Lady Stags.
Soltones, Denice Lim, and Katherine Villegas each had 12 points to lead the 1-1 Lady Stags.