Lady Bulldogs bite back

MANILA, Philippines —  Reigning champion National U shook off University of the East yesterday, 25-19, 25-10, 25-19 in a quick bounceback from a loss in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After losing to University of the Philippines last week, the Lady Bulldogs started on the wrong note and trailed early, 8-15. Then they unleashed a 17-4 rally behind Vange Alinsug and young guns Celine Marsh and Arah Panique for the set win that snowballed to easier business in the next two.

Marsh shone brightest for the Lady Bulldogs, stepping up big time for injured super rookie Sam Cantada by firing 11 points on eight hits, two aces and a block to go along 12 digs and four receptions in an all-around brilliance.

Panique backstopped her with 12 points while team captain Alinsug threw in 10 points, seven digs and seven receptions as NU took solo second spot at 4-1 behind unbeaten leader La Salle (4-0). UP is not far behind at 3-1.

“I never really doubted Celine. I never really feel na malaki ‘yung mawawala kapag may isang player na hindi makakalaro kasi I have somebody else to help the team. Tulungan lang talaga kami,” said NU mentor Regine Diego.

Cantada, the former UAAP juniors MVP who led NU in scoring in the first three matches, went down with a shin injury against UP after an accidental collision with teammate IC Cepada.

But NU hardly felt her absence by flaunting its depth to elude another upset bid from a lowly squad. Cantada was in uniform but did not suit up as Diego opted to rest her to brace for a duel against another winless squad in Ateneo this weekend.

“Nag move on lang kami,” said Alinsug, the only remnant of NU’s championship core led by Bella Belen.

Van Bangayan (12) and Khy Cepada (10) had steady numbers but the Lady Warriors fell to 0-5 for this season, absorbing their 19th straight defeat dating back to last year.

Later, Faida Bakanke (12) and Jazlyn Ellarina (11) conspired as Far Eastern U (3-2) kept Ateneo (0-5) winless, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24.