NU tossers down UP, surge ahead

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

JAJA Santiago and Aiko Urdas kept it together for National University as the Lady Bulldogs survived a scare from University of the Philippines, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-19, Monday to claim the solo lead in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at Philsports Arena.

In a match where the Lady Maroons just kept fighting back, the Lady Bulldogs arrested late meltdowns in the last three sets for the crucial win that raised their record to 4-1 and strengthened their hold of No. 1 heading into the semifinals.

Errors got the better of the Lady Bulldogs in the opening frame where they blew a 7-1 start against the Lady Maroons, 23-25.

As the Lady Maroons kept clawing back —even from deficits as many as 12 points —the Lady Bulldogs held on in the next three sets as Santiago and Urdas combined for 34 of the team’s 60 attack points.

“We had 12 unforced errors in the first set, so I told them to minimize that, especially in crucial points,” said NU deputy Edjet Mabbayad.

Santiago topscored with 21 and Urdas also fired 20 points for the Lady Bulldogs, who spoiled the Lady Maroons’ own bid to claim a Final Four berth and a share of the top spot.

Risa Sato added 13 points, including half of the Lady Bulldogs’ 10 aces, while Jasmine Nabor dished out 38 excellent sets on top of eight points, the last on an attack that sealed the match.

The Lady Maroons slipped to a tie for third with idle San Sebastian at 2-2.

Ateneo claimed the top spot in men’s action after completing a Group B sweep in the elimination round of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference.

The Blue Eagles drubbed the Maroons, 25-21, 25-18, 25-12, to stay unbeaten in five games going into the semifinals.

Russian-American Antony Koyfman fired 10 points, while Marck Espejo and Josh Villanueva scored eight each to lead the Eagles.

In Group A, Saint Benilde bowed out with a 1-4 card after a 25-17, 32-30, 29-27 victory over Philippine Merchant Marine School.