NU can’t afford any letup, says Santiago

Jaja Santiago of National University towers over UE blockers during their game in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / ST

National University skipper Jaja Santiago said on Sunday the Lady Bulldogs can’t afford to be complacent as the elimination round of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament nears its end.

NU turned back University of the East in four sets 25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, and improved to 6-4 to move into fourth spot behind University of Santo Tomas.

“There are still four more games and we can’t afford to relax in the final stretch,” said Santiago after their game at Filoil Flying V Centre. “We just have to be consistent to win those games.”

NU and UST are on a predicament where one slip can potentially cause a downward spiral.

Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines, both at 5-5, are still in contention for the third and fourth spots that are currently owned by NU and UST.

Santiago said the Lady Bulldogs just have to take things one step at a time to retain their position.

Santiago added they don’t want to put too much on their shoulders and they just have to play each game while improving as a team.

“There’s really not that much pressure but I think we just have to improve as a team,” said Santiago who had 23 points in the match. “We just have to polish our service and receive and we have to take it step by step.”

The Lady Bulldogs, numbers-wise, are the worst in the reception department with an efficiency rating of 22.54 percent. 

NU is also the worst team in terms of digs averaging 12.12 digs per set. 

In comparison, La Salle is the best receiving team with a 41.86 percent efficiency and UST has the best diggers with the Golden Tigresses averaging 16.26 a set.