Games Today
(Philsports Arena, Pasig City)
4 p.m. – FEU vs UP (for third place)
Presentation of Individual Awards
6 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo (finals)
Lady Bulldogs eye sweep vs Lady Eagles.
Can National University complete a magnificent season? Or will Ateneo succeed in staying the arrival of midnight?
NU shoots for its second straight title in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference today when it clashes with a tough Ateneo side at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Game time is at 6 p.m. with the defending champion Lady Bulldogs aiming for a sweep of the best-of-three championship.
NU made its title-retention felt on Monday when the Lady Bulldogs survived Game 1, 25-21, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 18-16, before a huge, frenzied crowd.
The Lady Bulldogs struggled early in the deciding set, but slowly held their composure with Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas and Risa Sato stepping up.
The 6-foot-4 Santiago was explosive on all departments as she fired 31 points built on 25 kills and five blocks as NU rallied from five-point deficits and then fought off two match points.
NU Assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad stuck with his starters all throughout that five-set match and is expected to do it again with Santiago, Urdas and Sato teaming up with Jasmine Nabor, Joy Doromal, and Jorelle Singh.
“Kailangang maipakita lang namin yung composure na ipinakita namin sa fifth set ng Game 1,” said Mabbayad.
Mabbayad, however, is aware of Ateneo’s resiliency, knowing that the Lady Eagles advanced to the final round via deciding series victories in the quarterfinals and the semifinals.
The Lady Eagles, who finished as runners-up to the Lady Bulldogs last year, are now giving up easily as skipper Michelle Morente, Ana Gopico and Bea De Leon try to stop the strong force of Santiago, Sato and Singh behind the net.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University hopes to clinch the third-place honors when it tangles with University of the Philippines at 4 p.m.
The Lady Tams won Game 1 of their series, 25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 15-9, behind the efforts of Heather Guino-o and Toni Rose Basas.