NU dethrones Ateneo, cops first-ever V-League title

MANILA, Philippines – The first time is truly the sweetest.

Showing surprising grit and nerves of steel for a finals first-timer, National U averted  a near-collapse with a strong start and a stronger finish as it dethroned back-to-back champion Ateneo with gripping, heart-stopping 25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 26-24 victory to clinch its first ever crown in the Shakey's V-League 10: First Conference Sunday.

Playing before a packed crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, the Lady Bulldogs went on a hot start by seizing the first two sets and appeared headed to a straight sets win only to blow a seven-point lead in the third set that the Lady Eagles won.

The Loyola-based belles then controlled majority of the fourth set and led, 24-22, after reigning season MVP Dindin Santiago's serve sailed out.

But NU struck with four straight points from there, including a fake set straight to Ateneo's empty backline that shattered a 24-24 deadlock and a powerful Santiago kill that nailed it for the Jhocson-based school, sending the Lady Bulldogs in frantic celebration and the Lady Eagles to tears.

De Leon, 30, came out the best player of the game with 13 hits, six coming off kills, three on blocks and that point that gave NU the lead for good.

And that is not counting the 19 excellent sets that led to a scoring opportunity for NU's wide array of spikers headed by Myla Pablo, Carmina Aganon and Santiago, who fired 13, 13 and 12 hits, respectively.

"I just let my instincts take over and I when I saw a hole, I tried to bring it there quickly, which worked," said de Leon, the current coach at Poveda who now has two Shakey's V-League crown after helping Santo Tomas to the Season Six crown, in Filipino.

NU coach Edjet Mabbayad was all praises of de Leon.

"She (de Leon) showed why she's the most experienced player on the court," said Mabbayad, who is four years younger than his seasoned setter.

Later, NU's heavy glass trophy was later broken to pieces after it fell amid the frenzy.

But not the Lady Bulldogs' hearts as they won their first ever volleyball championship since emerging back-to-back UAAP champions in the 1956-57 season.

"It's a proud accomplishment and we dedicate this victory to the school and the whole community as well as our supporters," said Mabbayad, who was appointed on an interim basis last April and may end up retaining the job for the coming UAAP season.

Earlier, Santo Tomas bucked the sudden absence of guest player Aiza Maizo and downed Adamson, 25-18, 19-25, 25-19, 25-16, to clinch third place.

Pamela Lastimosa, Maika Ortiz and Carmela Tunay stepped up in the absence of Maizo as the troika fired 19, 16 and 12 hits, respectively, to complete the Tigresses' 2-1 series win over the Lady Falcons.

"We really wanted to end the V-League with a win and we accomplished it," said UST coach Odjie Mamon.

Lastimosa, sister of former St. Benilde standout Carlo, said they dedicated the win to Maizo.

"This win is for her (Maizo)," she said.

Maizo, who played college ball for UST, was forced to skip the sudden death match because she has to be with her nine-year baby boy AJ.

"AJ is out of the hospital now and I guess it’s a double victory for us," said Mamon.