V-League: National U eyes sweep of Ateneo

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

NATIONAL University targets the championship tonight, hoping to flaunt the same intensity it flashed two nights ago against one of the league’s most tenacious squads.

Even after a confidence-boosting Game 1 win, the Lady Bulldogs know it won’t be easy finishing off the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference championship.

“I just tell [the players] that there should be no pressure,” said NU deputy Edjet Mabbayad. “I tell them we should show the same intensity because that keyed our win.”

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is set 6 p.m. at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Far Eastern University also vies to sweep University of the Philippines in the battle for third place in the first game at 4 p.m.

Jaja Santiago and Aiko Urdas played huge as the Lady Bulldogs hacked out a hard-fought win in the opener, 25-21, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 18-16, Monday night.

“Their willingness to win was there,” Mabbayad said of his defending champions.

Santiago made the most of her towering frame as the 6-foot-5 NU star exploded for 31 points built on 25 kills, five blocks and an ace.

Urdas also came through with 18 points, highlighted by key hits in the fifth set where the Lady Bulldogs rose from a 3-8 deficit.

“We’ve survived several do-or-die games, so we’ll just keep fighting,” said Ateneo standout Jho Maraguinot, who returned from injury to help fuel the Lady Eagles’ campaign.