Ateneo nears title repeat

Games Saturday (Philsports Arena, Pasig City) 10 a.m. – La Salle vs UST (men’s third place) 12 noon – Ateneo vs NU (men’s finals)

Ateneo reaffirmed its superiority over National University, but this time needed five sets to eke out a 16-25, 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 15-11 victory yesterday at the start of their title series in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

After losing the opening set, the Eagles went to reigning MVP Marck Espejo and veteran Rex Intal and won the next two. But the Bulldogs stepped up and took the fourth to force a deciding fifth frame.

But the Eagles were not to be denied and completed their comeback by the taking the deciding set, 15-11.

The second game will be held on Saturday with the Eagles needing just one more win to retain the championship while the Bulldogs try to force a rubber match.

Meantime, Jaja Santiago travelled from Biñan City after playing in the Asian Women’s Club Championship to help National University beat University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-10, 27-25, 25-21, and reach the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference for the third time

Santiago conspired with Aiko Urdas and Jorelle Singh in a decisive fourth set attack to complete a two-game sweep of their best best-of-three semis series.

The NU belles, who took Game 1, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, will face either Ateneo or Far Eastern University in the finals.

The 6-foot-5 Santiago sizzled with 25 points built on 19 kills and four blocks.

Espejo, one of the best outside spikers, registered 18 kills to finish with 20 points, while Intal, younger brother of PBA star JC Intal, added 16 for Ateneo, which remained undefeated since the start of the conference.

Ateneo’s dynamic duo combined for 32 attacks during the thrilling contest.

It was the Eagles’ seventh straight triumph in the conference, and another win on Saturday would complete their bid for a historic sweep.

The 6-foot-8 Tony Koyfman and Joshua Villanueva had their own share of glory as they tallied 12 points apiece. Skipper Karl Baysa chipped in 11 points.

In all, the Eagles had 66 kills while NU blocked 11 attempts.

If not for NU’s turnovers, 44 in all, the game could have had a different ending.