NU snaps five-game skid, nears UAAP Final 4 berth

Game Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan City) 8 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE (Men’s) 10 a.m. – UST vs FEU (Men’s) 2 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson (Women’s) 4 p.m. – FEU vs UE (Women’s)

National University (NU) swept University of the East (UE), 26-24, 26-24, 2520, yesterday to snap a five-game skid while edging closer to clinching the last Final Four berth in the UAAP women’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan City.

Jaja Santiago and Risa Sato led the charge as the Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-6 for fourth place, ending a stunning stretch of defeats that came after topping the first round with six victories in seven games.

The victory also put NU a win shy of a semis berth while eliminating University of the Philippines (5-8) and University of Santo Tomas (4-9) from the contention.

Only Adamson, with a 5-7 record, stands in the way of NU’s quest to catch the last Final Four bus.

NU needs to beat third-running Far Eastern University (FEU) on Sunday to complete the Final Four cast. FEU clinched a semis berth the other day with a victory over Adamson.

NU took advantage of UE’s weak net defense by hammering down attacks at all angles courtesy of Santiago and Sato.

The 6-foot-4 Santiago exploded anew with 22 points built on 18 kills and three blocks while Sato fired 13 points.

UE dropped to its 10th defeat against two wins despite Mary Ann Mendrez and Shaya Adorador combining for 25 points.

In the other game, three-peat seeking La Salle moved a win shy of claiming a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four after beating University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22.

The Lady Spikers improved to a league-best 10-2 record, half-game ahead of the archrival Ateneo Lady Eagles and Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, behind the efforts of Kim Dy and Majoy Baron.