Shakey’s V-League: Lady Bulldogs eye repeat, redemption

MANILA, Philippines — National University is doubly pumped up for the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference unfolding Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Bulldogs aren’t only out to defend the title they won last year, they also want to bounce back from what was a disappointing UAAP season, where they fell short of their title aspirations.

NU was a title favorite in Season 76 and had a twice-to-beat edge as the No. 2 seed in the semifinals, but lost to eventual champion Ateneo.

Dindin Santiago, who ended her UAAP career without a volleyball crown, is expected to pour her frustrations into the V-League, the premier volleyball tournament for women in the country.

Backing the power-hitting Santiago are sister Jaja and mainstays Aiko Urdas, Carmin Aganon and Myla Pablo.

The Lady Bulldogs will no longer field a reinforcement.

The season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s will have 12 teams and will carry the tagline: “Shakey’s V-League: Where it all started”.

NU heads Group B that includes UST, San Sebastian College, Far Eastern University, Perpetual Help and newcomer Davao Lady Agilas.

Ateneo, last year’s runner-up, topbills Group A along with Adamson, St. Benilde, Arellano, Baguio’s St. Louis University and Cebu’s Southwestern Universtiy.

The top four teams from each side after the classification round will advance to the quarters, where they will be divided into two groups. The top four teams after the quarters will advance to the semifinals and so on.

GMA News TV will air the matches on a delayed basis.