NATIONAL University blew a huge lead in the second set but recovered in time to repulse University of Santo Tomas and hack out a 25-21, 29-27, 25-13 victory at the start of the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Monday.
Aiko Urdas and Jaja Santiago pumped in a hit each as the Lady Bulldogs pulled through in an extended second set duel which they dominated at 21-13 only to crumble with miscues and poor service reception. After another slow 0-3 start in the third, the defending champions rattled off five straight points and went on to dominate their rivals to post the lopsided set win and complete their sweep of the España-based squad in the mid-season conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
“This is a morale boosting win for us especially that we’re coming from a loss,” said NU assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad, referring to their stinging 15-25, 25-27, 17-25 defeat to the Ateneo Lady Eagles last Saturday that kept the latter in the quarters hunt.
NU, which finished the Group A elims with a 3-1 card, still has to wait for the result of the Ateneo-Technological Institute of the Philippines knockout match for the last quarterfinal berth being played at presstime to determine its carryover mark.