NU only its second Shakey’s V-League stint, National University has made it to the semifinals. Reinforcements Dindin Santiago, Cherry Vivas and Monique Tiangco delivered as the Lady Bulldogs oust Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 15-13, and clinch the remaining ‘Final Four’ slot in Group II in the first conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
In the second match, Adamson, facing backs against the wall, remained in contention for the last semifinals berth by scoring a 28-26, 25-10, 25-19 win over Ateneo. Aside from dealing the first loss of Lady Eagles coach Charo Soriano, the Lady Falcons improved to 1-1 mark to avoid early elimination in Group I.
Adamson will face Lyceum in a ‘no tomorrow’ match for the last huling semis slot tomorrow. “Laban pa rin kami, hindi na iniisip yung standing namin. Nandoon ang sense of urgency na manalo,” said Lady Falcons mentor Dulce Pante. Guest player Nene Bautista had 18 hits while Angela Benting added 14 points, including two blocks, for Adamson.
Thai import Lithawat Kesinee was the lone bright spot for Ateneo with 19 points, as guest player Alyssa Valdez was shut down to season-low eight hits. “Ang mga guest players ko ang key sa panalong ito. Wala akong masabi, I’m very proud at nakaabot kami sa semifinals,” said a jubilant NU coach Francis Vicente.
The 6-foot-1 Santiago was a force to reckon with in the middle of net, scoring a personal season-high 18 hits, including five blocks, while ex-Lady Tamaraws standouts Vivas and Tiangco chipped in 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Lady Bulldogs. NU joined Bacolod’s University of St. La Salle and Ateneo in the semifinals of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and supported by Accel and Mikasa.
Rosemarie Vargas had 23 hits, including four blocks, while guest player Rachel Daquis added 20 points, including four blocks, for FEU. With Daquis scoring two consecutive hits, the Lady Tamaraws took a 9-6 spread in the fifth set before Santiago led the Lady Bulldogs uprising to take a 13-11 edge.
The two squads then exchanged miscues before Morada blocked Vivas’ hit for FEU to inch closer to 13-14. But the Lady Tamaraws floundered as Mayjorie Roxas committed a service fault which served as the match point. FEU, which ousted San Sebastian College in last week’s duel for the last quarterfinals berth, thus joined Cebu’s Southwestern University in early vacation. “Excited sila sa first two set pero noong third and fourth set, nag-relax sila pero nandoon pa rin ang will to win. I’m glad na naibalik nila ang communication sa court sa fifth set,” said Vicente.
The Lady Tamaraws gave away 43 points from their errors.
(TJ)
