NU sets up semis duel against La Salle, pounces on FEU in stepladder

Rizza Jane Mandapat (7) of NU against Heather Anne Guino-o (4) and Geneveve Casugod (7) of FEU. (photo by: NONOY LACZA)

MANILA, Philippines—National University pulled all the stops against Far Eastern University to come away with a 25-13, 25-17, 25-27, 25-23, victory on Saturday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum and book a semifinals ticket against De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Roger Gorayeb would face La Salle once more in the playoffs, this time with a team he didn’t build but a team he inherited.

“It’s a battle for us because you are fighting against a strong team,” said Gorayeb who was the former coach of Ateneo. “We cannot afford to lose.”

Gorayeb faced a spirited Lady Tamaraws squad in the fourth set but his new team clicked at the right time to prevent a fifth set.

Down 23-22, Myla Pablo sent a rocket on a crosscourt kill to tie it up 23-23.

Jaja Santiago followed it up with a simple tap in the middle to give NU the 24-23 match point.

Making matters worse for FEU, Bernadeth Pons’ attack went straight to the net ending their Season 77 campaign.

Gorayeb said he struggled with his team during the game as the players went back to their old system during FEU’s third set and put a lot of pressure on themselves.

“I want to remove that quality, that trait where they become so enamored on getting back that lost point,” Gorayeb said. “They can’t think straight when they do that.”

He added that they have to give their all against La Salle because one slip up and they’re out.

“They don’t have a choice, they have to do it now,” Gorayeb said. “We are on do or die games, one miss you die.”

Scoring came aplenty for NU with Pablo shrugging off a mild sprain to come away with 22 points to Jorelle Singh adding 20.

Santiago also had a big game for NU as she finished with 19.

Pons led FEU with 16 points while Heather Guino-o and Toni Rose Basas combined for 23.

Gorayeb said his team could do it—all his players needed was someone to tell them they could beat La Salle.

“They have the capacity, they have the capabilities, they have that. You just have to tell them they can do it.”