NU outlasts DLSU in thriller between unbeaten teams
THE National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs fortified their standing as bona fide title contenders in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) yesterday, outlasting defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers in their battle of unbeaten teams in five sets, 26-24, 19-25, 22-25, 25-17 and 16-14, at a jam-packed FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Pushed to the limit by La Salle, the Lady Bulldogs ( 4- 0) stuck with their bite as the match progressed and just struck when needed in the end to stay unbeaten in women’s play of Season 80 while dealing the Lady Spikers (3-1) their first defeat.
Led by skipper Jaja Santiago, NU had it solid to start the game, taking the technical knockouts, 8-6 and 16-12, before holding their own to hack out a tight first-set win.
In the second frame, the Lady Bulldogs started strong anew only to see the tables turned on them down the stretch.
NU held a 16-15 lead by the second technical break but was outscored, 10-4, the rest of the way to see the count leveled at one set apiece.
The nip-and-tuck affair between the two teams spilled over into the third frame.
The Lady Bulldogs established a 16-13 advantage midway but the defending champs would creep their way back as their auxiliaries came in to give added energy.
When the battle smoke cleared, it was La Salle on top and holding a two sets to one lead.
Sensing that it had surrendered more than enough ground for comfort, NU played with more sense of urgency to start the fourth set.
It was once again first at the second technical knockout, 16-12, but unlike in the previous set the Lady Bulldogs would not relent in their charge to send the match to a deciding set.
Kim Keanna Dy and Majoy Baron led La Salle to an early 5-3 advantage in the fifth set, which the team used to build an 8-5 cushion halfway into the frame.
NU racked up two quick points to come within a point, 8-7, but a service error by setter Jasmine Nabor and a service ace by Michelle Cobb gave La Salle further breathing space, 10-7.
Two more points extended the Lady Spikers’ lead to 12-8.
The Lady Bulldogs tied the score at 12-all as they stepped up their defense.
Dy gave La Salle back the lead, 13-12, but Santiago and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs overtook them, 14-13.
The Lady Spikers pulled even at 14-all but Santiago (attack) and Aiko Urdas (service ace) conspired to score the next two points for NU and gave the Lady Bulldogs the win.
Santiago led the way for NU with 27 points, 20 off attacks, four from blocks and three service aces.
“Credit to the players. They practically willed themselves to the win. Our leaders (Nabor and Santiago) really stepped up and I commend them for showing the way. We’re just happy with this win,” NU coach Babes Castillo after the win.
NU collides with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday, Feb. 25. while La Salle next plays on Wednesday against the University of the East Lady Warriors.