Lady Bulldogs take Tigresses out, book UAAP finals return

MANILA, Philippines — The National University Lady Bulldogs' bid to defend their UAAP volleyball title remains alive.

NU punched a return ticket to the UAAP women’s volleyball finals after warding off the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 20-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Arah Panique roared loudly for the Lady Bulldogs with 23 points on 21 attacks and two blocks. Vange Alinsug added 18 markers, to go with 15 receptions and seven digs in the victory.

Chamy Maaya had 14 in the win.

With UST trying to force a fifth set, NU trailed by four, 18-14, after a Jonna Perdido hit.

But six straight points, capped by a block kill on Perdido, gave them a 20-18 advantage.

An error by Sam Cantada kept the Tigresses alive, but the Lady Bulldogs could not be stopped.

An attack error by Reg Jurado gave the Sampaloc-based squad a 24-19 lead, before Jurado and Angge Poyos pulled UST within three, 21-24.

But an Alexa Mata block on Poyos iced the match for the Lady Bulldogs.

After dropping the first set, NU had to climb out of late holes in the second and third sets.

In the second frame, the Lady Bulldogs trailed by three, 17-20, before they unleashed five straight points capped by a Myrtle Escanlar ppoint pushed them ahead, 22-20.

A service ace by Maaya, followed by a Jonna Perdido hit, tied things up at 22-all, before both teams traded points.

A kill by Panique gave them the much-needed 25-24 lead, before four touches by the Espana-based squad gave them the second set, 26-24.

It was more of the same in the third, as NU turned a 20-22 deficit to a 26-24 lead as Panique, Maaya and Alinsug teamed up.

Mata had nine points on five attacks, three blocks and an ace for NU. Camilla Lamina tossed up 34 excellent sets in the victory.

Jurado paced UST with 19 points nd 12 digs. Poyos chipped in 16 markers, 13 receptions and 10 digs, while Perdido had 15 points, 21 receptions and nine digs. Cassie Carballo had five points and 35 sets in the loss.

The Lady Bulldogs, who are shooting for a three-peat, will face the La Salle Lady Spikers in the finals.

La Salle, which swept the elimination round, had a lengthy rest as the Final Four went the stepladder route.

The Lady Bulldogs, who are shooting for a three-peat, will face the La Salle Lady Spikers in the finals.

• Latest
• Trending