By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN—National University was again challenged by UE. But
in the end, they survived yet again.
Dropping another set against the Lady Warriors, the Lady
Bulldogs avoided a late-game meltdown to carve out a 25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21
squeaker in Sunday action of the UAAP LXXIX women’s volleyball tournament at
the FilOil Flying V Arena.
With Jaja Santiago on ballistc mode yet again, the wards of
Coach Roger Gorayeb recovered from a disastrous third and mid-fourth set to improve
to a 6-4 win-loss record and shook off the painful straight-set loss opposite
defending champions De La Salle University.
The 6-foot-5 Santiago fired 20 of her 23 points on the
attacking, including back-to-back hits that sealed the outcome. She also had
three of the team’s 12 blocks.
Jorelle Singh also stepped up for NU with 17 points, with Fil-Japanese
hitter Risa Sato the third double-digit scorer with 10.Setter Jasmine Nabor had eight points and 27 excellent sets.
UE made a stubborn stand in the game, taking advantage of NU’s
37 errors while firing 13 service aces, four coming from Shaya Adorador. It had
one final push in the fourth, trimming a 14-17 deficit to come close at 21-23
before losing steam in the end.
Adorador was at her elements again for UE, now losers of
three straight for a 1-9 record, with 16 points spiked on 12 attacks. Judith
Abil added 10 points in the loss.
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