Jaja Santiago leads NU Lady Bulldogs anew. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Indefatigable Jaja Santiago towed National U past University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-10, 27-25, 25-21, Wednesday as the Lady Bulldogs clinched the first finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at Philsports Arena.
Straight from her duty for Foton Pilipinas in the AVC Asian Women’s Club championship in Biñan, Laguna, Santiago didn’t miss a beat and still fired 25 points including 19 kills, the last ending the match.
“I just wanted to help the team make it bake to the finals,” said Santiago, whose team completed a sweep of the Lady Maroons in their best-of-three Final Four series.
Santiago made it in time for her mother team’s game, but didn’t start as NU lost the first set, 21-25. She then spearheaded the Lady Bulldogs’ fightback with a sweep of the next three.
Veteran Jorelle Singh added 16 points while Aiko Urdas chipped in 14 points for the Lady Bulldogs.
Diana Carlos and Nicole Tiamzon shot 14 points apiece for UP, which also drew 11 markers from Isa Molde, which failed to sustain its own fightbacks in the third and fourth sets.