NU, USLS turn back V-League opponents

Dindin Santiago exploded for a season-high 31 points as National U barged into the win column by rallying past Southwestern U of Cebu,  20-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-17, yesterday in the Shakey’s V-League at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The former national youth team standout delivered on both ends of the floor, joining forces with Maricar Nepomuceno to help the Lady Bulldogs score their breakthrough win in three games.

St. La Salle also nailed its first victory after outlasting Letran, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 14-25, 15-10, in the second game.

The Lady Stingers drew strength from guest player Jovelyn Gonzaga, who scored three of her 11 points in the final set to lift the Bacolod squad to a 1-1 card.

Patty Jane Orendain, who was with Santiago in the youth team three years ago, and Sheryl Denila drilled in 21 markers each for the Lady Stingers, who remain in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.

Letran’s Thai import Patcharee Sangmuang took charge in the crucial moments in the third and fourth sets as the Lady Knights forced a deciding game after dropping the first two frames.

“We really expected SWU to play well early since they lost their opening game,” said NU coach Francis Vicente. With reports from Jan Ballesteros and Rodolfo Lozada