National U reigns in girls volley

Game tomorrow (Adamson Gym)

12 noon – UE vs Ateneo (boys’ finals)

MANILA, Philippines - National University recovered from a third set loss and beat University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 28-26, 26-28, 25-12, to capture its first-ever UAAP girls volleyball crown at the Adamson University Gym yesterday.

Jennifer Nierva came through with a ferocious smash to cap the Junior Lady Bulldogs’ dominating fourth set performance and sweep their best-of-three finals, 2-0.

In the boys’ stepladder semifinals, Ateneo eliminated No. 2 NU, 25-20, 28-26, 27-25, to force a title duel with thrice-to-beat University of the East starting tomorrow at 12 noon.

The Blue Eaglets won three straight do-or-die matches to gain the right to meet the Junior Warriors, who swept the 12-game elims, in the finals.

The Bullpups ended at No. 2 in the elims but could not cash in on their twice-to-beat edge.

NU’s Faith Nisperos was named the tournament MVP while teammates Nierva took the Best Server honors, Rica Diolan copped the Best Setter plum and Christine Magallanes won the Best Libero award.

UST’s Eya Laure and Pauline Gaston took home the Best Attacker and Best Blocker honors, respectively, while De La Salle-Zobel’s Mildred Dizon won the Best Receiver award and Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Rachel Ann Fabro bagged the Rookie of the Year plum.