Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University star Jaja Santiago said the Lady Bulldogs have a newfound attitude and it was on display in their five-set win over University of the Philippines.
“I think our attitude changed and we have that willingness to win,” said Santiago in Filipino on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. “I told my teammates that whenever we get behind we just have to regroup and cheer each other up.”
Santiago and the Lady Bulldogs were on a three-game losing skid prior to their win against the Lady Maroons, 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 15-25, 15-12, to improve to 4-3 at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.
NU’s win over UP put the Lady Bulldogs in a four-way tie with the Lady Maroons, University of Santo Tomas, and Far Eastern University in the third spot.
The Lady Bulldogs, however, were nearly had their three-game skid extended after the Lady Maroons forced a fifth set.
UP was up, 10-6, in the final set before Risa Sato came alive down the stretch and Santiago found herself in the front row, a position she didn’t get into while the Lady Maroons mounted the lead.
Sato scored three of the last five NU points and Santiago put the Lady Bulldogs at match point, 14-12, after a block on Nicole Tiamzon.
NU head coach Roger Gorayeb described Santiago as “intimidating” when his middle blocker was in front of the net.
Santiago, however, was quick to downplay her “intimidating” label.
“I don’t think I’m that intimidating,” said Santiago, who had 18 points. “All I think is whatever the other team does, we have to be better.”