V-League: NU outlasts Perpetual Help behind Santiago to sweep Group B

MANILA, Philippines — National University outlasted University of Perpetual Help, 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 24-26, 15-8, to sweep the elimination round of Group B Tuesday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 10 First Conference at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Six-foot-two Dindin Santiago, a transferee from the University of Santo Tomas, erupted for 36 points, highlighted by seven aces.

“Masyado kasing nag-relax yung mga bata,” said NU head coach Edjet Mabbayad. “Sinasabi nga namin na kapag lamang na ‘wag niyo bigyan ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng momentum yung kalaban kasi anytime may pwedeng mangyari na pwedeng maikatalo namin.”

True enough, the Lady Bulldogs saw their 24-21 lead in the fourth set get wiped away after a pair of costly errors by Myla Pablo that allowed the defending champion Lady Altas to get back on their feet and force a deciding fifth set.

In the end though, NU’s firepower proved to be too much as it regained its form thanks to Santiago’s play.

“Bilang isang beterano binibigay niya talaga yung lahat niya. She always gives her best,” Mabbayad said of Santiago, whose single-game point total was the highest for a local player since Adamson’s Angela Benting unleashed 37 points back in November 2009.

The Lady Bulldogs, who had a breakthrough stint in UAAP Season 75 after making the Final Four, also drew 15 points from Pablo and 13 from Dindin’s younger sister Jaja.

Surprisingly, Perpetual Help has yet to log a win in two and would need to win against provincial team University of San Carlos to make the quarterfinals.

Honey Royse Tubino and guest player Joy Cases had 15 points apiece for the Lady Altas, who lost despite committing just 26 errors compared to the Lady Bulldogs’ 36.