Service, reception the core of Lady Bulldogs success

Games Sunday (Philsports Arena)

1 p.m. – UST vs Adamson (for third)

3 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (for title)

MANILA, Philippines - National U coach Edjet Mabbayad has two formulas for Shakey’s V-League success – serve and receive well.

The Lady Bulldogs dished out both at the MOA Arena in Game Two last Sunday, coming away with a 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 victory over the Ateneo Lady Eagles and forcing a Game Three for  the Season 10 First Conference crown.

“After our Game One loss, I told my players that we needed to serve and receive better in Game Two for us to win,” said Mabbayad. “I’m really happy that the girls responded to the challenge.”

Truly, the Jhocson-based belles came well prepared in Game Two after a straight-set loss in the series opener of the league backed by Mikasa and Accel. They minimized their service errors while putting up solid reception that led to scoring opportunities and maximizing the power of the team’s army of hitters, led by sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas and Carmina Aganon.

The 6-2 Dindin Santiago finally played to her MVP form, unloading 12 kills, while Pablo, the league’s Best Attacker, led NU’s net charge by unloading 13 kills for a 15-hit output.

Aganon, Jaja Santiago, and Urdas also combined for 22 hits, set up by the team’s steady reception. 

“Our solid reception led to attacking opportunities and although we had less aces than them, 1-6, we served accurately, that’s more than enough for me,” said Mabbayad.

Game Three is tomorrow, back at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. Tickets are available at all SM ticket outlets, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

One other factor that worked for NU was its blocking, putting up 10 blocks, including four from its ace setter Rubie de Leon, and two by Jaja Santiago, whose 6-4 frame was enough to intimidate Ateneo’s spikers.

The Lady Bulldogs’ nearly impenetrable net defense also held the prolific Rachel Daquis to a personal low of four hits. 

“I have to give it to our blockers, who really worked hard in watching out for the Ateneo spikers,” said Mabbayad. 

Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb is expected to come up with the necessary adjustments in the decider. But with the Lady Bulldogs finally overcoming championship jitters and playing to their full potential, the Lady Eagles will have to double their effort to stop the surging Bulldogs and achieve a dream three-peat.

Otherwise, National U could be headed to a Shakey’s V-League breakthrough.