NU spikers advance in men’s, ladies’ volley

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

2 p.m. – NU vs ADMU (men finals)

4 p.m. – NU vs DLSU (women step-ladder)

MANILA, Philippines - National University shrugged off a tough Far Eastern University in the third and fourth set to hammer out a 25-13, 25-17, 25-27, 25-23, to stave off elimination last night in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We built quite a big gap in the third set, where we conceded points only on errors, the setting wasn’t good enough,” said a relieved Lady Bulldogs coach Roger Gorayeb. “Our first two sets were great -- the reception, setting and attack combinations.”

Myla Pablo had an impressive all-around game with 22 points and six digs, while Jaja Santiago had two service aces to finish with 20 hits for NU.

The Lady Bulldogs now improved to 7-3 since Gorayeb took over last January.

Hurdling the first step-ladder match, NU next faces twice-to-beat La Salle in the second step-ladder semis match-up.  

The Bulldogs earlier made their third consecutive men’s championship appearance, as NU overcame University of Santo Tomas’ twice-to-beat semis advantage with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-23 victory.

The three-peat seeking Bulldogs rallied in the second frame to gain a two-set advantage and sealed only the victory after the Growling Tigers’ hitter Romnick Rico committed a service error to close out the game.

NU thus will face Ateneo in a rematch of last season’s finals on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Big Dome.

“Lumabas na talaga yung tunay na game namin. Yan ang hinahanap namin noong second round,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose Bulldogs lost three straight late in the eliminations which dropped them out of the Top 2.

The Lady Tamaraws ended their bid to hurdle another do-or-die game after Bernadette Pons failed to cross her attack at the net.

FEU, which returned to the post-season after a three-year absence, was leading 23-22 when NU moved closer to match point when Pablo hit a cross court spike for the game’s last deadlock and Santiago soared over two blockers to retake the lead.