NU Lady Bulldogs eliminate UP Lady Maroons from Final Four race

NU Lady Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—National University squandered a two-sets-to-none lead but still got enough punch to knock University of the Philippines out of contention, 25-21, 26-24,17-25, 23-25, 17-15, Sunday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

The victory hardly mattered for the Lady Bulldogs, who are already out of running, but they made sure they also pulled down with them the Lady Maroons, whose hope to make the Final Four was snuffed out altogether.

It also gave University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University worry-free entry to the semifinals along with Ateneo and La Salle.

NU star rookie Princess Robles unloaded 20 points, including the three straight in the frenetic back-and-forth in the fifth set. Libero Jennifer Nierva had 30 excellent digs and 27 excellent receptions.

The Lady Bulldogs, who also got 15 points from Audrey Paran including the winning spike, hiked their record to 4-9.

Despite Tots Carlos’ 18 points, UP fell to 6-7.