Pablo Sizzles as NU Sweeps ADMU to bag 2nd SVL Tilt

The National University Lady Bulldogs snatched their 2nd V-League crown as they overwhelmed the Ateneo Lady Eagles in three sets- 25-21, 26- 24, 25-19 during the winner-take-all Game 3.  Photo Courtesy of Arnold Z. Cruz/Shakey's V-League

By Emy Manipol

San Juan, MM-- Behind the explosion of veteran spiker Myla Pablo, the National University Lady Bulldogs snatched their 2nd V-League crown as they overwhelmed the Ateneo Lady Eagles in three sets- 25-21, 26- 24, 25-19 during the winner-take-all Game 3 of the 12th Season of Shakey’s V-League.  

Playing in front of a predominantly Ateneo crowd, NU got sidetracked before getting their groove together to turn a 2 point deficit during the early part of the 1st set into a 16-14 lead towards the 2nd technical time out. 

The Lady Bulldogs rode their momentum and scored the last 9 points to seal the first set 25-21. 

Bea De Leon tried to rally the Lady Eagles by scoring aces and blocks but was no match for NU’s well orchestrated offense headed by veteran playmaker Ruby De Leon who dished excellent sets to all NU players to maximize each rotation. 

NU almost had a 2nd quater meltdown as they allowed Ateneo to tie the game at 24 a piece, but after a Din Din Manabat kill and an attack error from Jho Maraguinot, the Lady Eagles lost the second set 26-24.

With their backs against the wall, ADMU was hoping to get momentum from their 2nd set mini-run but NU was quick on their game and had a blistering start of 9-2. 

Ateneo’s captain Alyssa Valdez tried to carry her team during the all-important set by equalling the score at 10 all behind her 3 aces and 1 attack, but the their lack of floor defense and error proved too much for the Lady Eagles, as they surrendered the set and the championship to NU, 25-19.

In contrast to their Katipunan-counterpart’s floor defense, NU displayed superb floor coverage, led by this season’s Best Libero Bia General and their team captain Jorel Singh who managed to dig up Ateneo’s strong offensive attacks.

Myla Pablo was crowned Finals MVP following her brilliance in the court as she finished the game with 15 markers.   

Box Scores:

NU (3) – Pablo 15, Manabat 11, Santiago 10, Singh 10, De Leon 3, Urdas 1, Nabor 0, General (L)

Ateneo (0) – Valdez 14, De Leon 10, Ahomiro 9, Maraguinot 6, Gequillana 2, Maddayag  2, Tan 0, De Jesus (L)

Follow the writer on Twitter: @emymanipol