NU stuns Cagayan, keeps Ateneo’s semis hopes alive in V-League

Games Wednesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

2 p.m. – PLDT vs Cagayan

4 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines – National U played a spoiler's role to the hilt and did collegiate rival Ateneo a big favor after it eked out a shock, come-from-behind 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 16-14 over defending champion Cagayan Valley in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City Tuesday.

Already out of the title hunt and looking dead in the water after dropping the first two sets, the Lady Bulldogs suddenly came alive by taking the next two sets and then fought a match point in the decider by seizing the final three points to complete the dramatic fightback.

Jaja Santiago cast her large shadow by towering above everyone else and led all hitters with 24 points, including 21 on spikes and two in blocks, to seal the Jocson-based belles their fourth win against seven losses.

NU gained nothing but pride in the win as it is already out of the race.

"Even though we're out of it, we just want to always go out there with a win because every game here in the V-League counts as we prepare for the UAAP," said NU coach Ariel dela Cruz.

The Rising Suns, who managed to recover their bearings in the deciding set after imploding in the third and fourth set, moved to match point after NU's Jorelle Singh committed an unforced error.

The Lady Bulldogs showed resilience and a never-say-die spirit by taking the last three points on a kill by Rizza Jane Mandapat, an error by Cagayan's Aiza Maizo and the dagger kill by Maritess Pablo.

NU then had a frantic celebration on centercourt after Pablo's match-clinching point as if it won a championship.

Little did they know that the Lady Eagles, the reigning UAAP champions and their fierce rivals, cheered for the Lady Bulldogs as they kept the former in the Final Four hunt.

It also sent Cagayan crashing to a third straight defeat and fourth overall against six triumphs.