Lady Bulldogs nip Tams, zero in on V-League semis

MANILA, Philippines – National U bounced back from middle sets setbacks with a strong effort in the fourth then thwarted Far Eastern U in the decider to pull off a 25-17, 24-26, 14-25, 25-18, 15-11 victory and close in on the first semifinal berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig last night.

Jorelle Singh, Risa Sato and Aiko Urdas combined in the Lady Bulldogs’ fifth set romp that saw them break away from a 2-2 count by taking eight of the next 10 points to go 10-4. The Lady Tams tried to put up a comeback at 8-11 and 10-12 but the defending champions held on through Jaja Santiago’s quick hit and back-to-back FEU unforced errors to pound out the win.

NU thus seized the solo lead at 3-1 while dropping the erstwhile unbeaten FEU to 2-1 in a tie with a surging San Sebastian College, which earlier ousted University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19.

Grethcel Soltones turned in another MVP-like performance coming off a bout with flu, firing 23 hits as the Lady Stags improved their Final Four bid with a 2-1 card.

Soltones peppered UST’s defense with 21 attack points although the reigning Open Conference and NCAA MVP needed to take charge again late in the fourth to foil the Tigresses’ determined comeback. Joyce Sta. Rita and Katherine Villegas added nine points apiece for the Lady Stags.

“As team captain, she’s leading by example. She played her hearts out despite coming in sick,” said SSC assistant coach Clint Malaza, referring to his flu-stricken prized hitter.

SSC actually struggled right in the opening frame, trailing, 12-18, before Soltones took over and hammered in the kills that the Tigresses had failed to stop or return.

After sweeping the first two sets, the Lady Stags relaxed a bit, enabling the Tigresses to wage a fightback and extend the match.