NU repulses FEU, gains Shakey’s finals
Game Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan) 4 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST
National University (NU) bucked a tentative start to outlast Far Eastern University (FEU), 20-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16, yesterday and claim the first finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Bulldogs showed little of the form that gave them a 25-15, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23 win in the opener of the series last Saturday – a situation the Lady Tamaraws took full advantage to gain an upperhand.
Seeing the danger sign, the Lady Bulldogs returned in the second frame with fire in their eyes, coming through with heavy spikes and an improved defense to reassert their authority.
After an easy second set win, NU was again challenged in the third but was able to parry FEU’s threat and come out victorious once again.
The missed opportunity to recover in the third disheartened the Lady Tamaraws that led to their disintegration much to the delight of NU supporters.
Myla Pablo, who led NU’s fightback, fired 23 points in a game highlighted by thunderous spikes.
Jaja Santiago was also instrumental in NU’s win, using her decisive height advantage to pile up points. She also produced several defensive stops to frustrate FEU’s top guns.
The 6-foot-4 Santiago added 17 points, including 14 hits as the Lady Bulldogs completed a two-game sweep of their series.
NU will face either Ateneo or University of Santo Tomas in a similar best-of-three title showdown.
The Tigresses dealt the Lady Eagles their first defeat of the conference with a hard-fought 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 victory to force a rubber match for the last finals berth.
EJ Laure scored 17 points while Carmela Tunay added 15 markers as UST stayed alive to arrange a onegame showdown on Wednesday.
Alyssa Valdez fired 24 points but couldn’t lift Ateneo to another victory.