NU sweeps UST, returns to V-League finals

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion National U continued its domination of Santo Tomas with another straight-set victory, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19, to sweep its best-of-three semifinal series and book a return trip to the finals of the Shakey's V-League Season 11-First Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Tuesday.

The power-spiking tandem of Dindin and Jaja Santiago led all hitters with 14 apiece while Carmina Aganon added 12 to complete the Lady Bulldogs' two-game sweep of their series following a close 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22 win in Game One last Sunday.

It would have been more lopsided had the Johcson-based lady spikers didn't commit errors.

"Every time we are on the verge of breaking loose, we committed errors. We're to blame that we're allowing them to bounce back," said NU coach Ariel dela Cruz in Filipino.

"We can't afford to play like this in the championship, we have to step up our game in the finals," added Dela Cruz.

Defense also proved crucial for NU as it contained a usually prolific EJ Laure, who was held to just 11 hits after pouring 16 in Game One.

Pablo and the 6-3 Jaja, the younger of the Santiago sisters, were vital in neutralizing Laure as the two combined for six blocks.

"I always tell my players that it’s our defense that will bring us to the finals and I'm glad they listened," said dela Cruz.

And the Lady Bulldogs did it in the absence of another spiker Aiko Urdas, who sat out in Game Two after injuring a knee in the third set of their Game One triumph.