NATIONAL University rebounded from a dismal straight set loss to Adamson with a 25-14, 25-20, 25-22 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in a duel of newcomers in the Shakey’s V-League second conference Thursday at the Filoil Flying Arena in San Juan.
Top hitter Mervic Mangui and guest player Dindin Santiago fired 14 hits apiece while Elaine Sagun added 13 points as the Lady Bulldogs needed just one-hour and seven minutes in disposing off the Lady Altas for their second win in three starts.
The net defense which NU built also forced the top Perpetual Help spikers to struggle as the Lady Altas produced just 22 hits, almost half of the 41-hit job delivered by the Lady Bulldogs in underscoring their readiness to vie for at least a berth in the quarterfinal round.
NU, which beat College of Saint Benilde in the opener of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, also outclassed Perpetual Help in the service department, scoring seven against none by the Lady Altas.
“We really prepared hard after that loss to the Lady Falcons,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Francis Vicente.
“Every game is special. Pinaghandaan namin ‘tong laban na’to kasi nakakahiya kapag natalo, highly-competitive na kasi ang V-League,” he added.
Adamson later tied NU at 2-1 by nipping Lyceum, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-7.
Guest player Nene Bautista uncorked 26 hits while Angela Benting added 18 points and reinforcement Michelle Laborte had 14 hits, including three blocks, for the Lady Falcons.
It was the second straight setback for Perpetual Help, which failed to sustain the momentum of its upset win over Adamson last week.
No one among the Lady Altas logged in a double-digit output with guest player Nica Guliman and April Sartin managing only seven hits apiece.
The Lady Altas now carry a 1-2 slate in the season-ending tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Shakey’s, Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof. (TJ)
