With Manabat back, Ateneo faces ‘bigger’ NU in V-League game 2

Dindin Santiago-Manabat returns to bolster NU. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Ateneo’s plans to bring home the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference title come Sunday faces a very big test—literally.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat, National University’s top hitter, will be back in commission in Game 2 of their best-of-three championship series after skipping the entire playoffs due to national team duties.

“Dindin will be a big factor in Game 2. NU is a strong team without her and will only get stronger with her back in the fold,” said Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez, the Most Valuable Player of the conference.

The Lady Eagles encountered little trouble in their series opener, picking the Lady Bulldogs apart in straight sets, 25-19, 25-13, 25-23, to move a win shy of sealing the finale.

Valdez led Ateneo with 20 hits, including 15 attack points in the first game.

“We had a good preparation for this conference and we hope to continue to play the way we did in Game 1,” said Valdez.

Gone for over two weeks, Santiago-Manabat carried the country’s tri-colors in a club tournament in Vietnam where the Nationals ended up eighth place.

Santiago-Manabat, a guest player averaging at least 20 hits per game, will reunite with sister Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo and skipper Jorelle Singh to bolster the Lady Bulldogs, who swept the FEU Lady Tams in the semifinals.

Ateneo could seal the deal on Sunday without head coach Tai Bundit, who reportedly attended a coaching seminar in his homeland Thailand.