NU belles deal Lady Eagles 2nd loss

MANILA, Philippines — National U made up for a woeful fourth set with a strong finishing kick as it posted a 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 12-25, 15-7 escape act over Ateneo to grab the solo lead in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Jasmine Nabor proved golden in the service line in the crucial stretch, knocking down three successive aces to seal NU’s second straight win and send the Lady Eagles reeling to their second straight setback, their worst start in recent years.

Nabor came through with seven aces overall in an 11-point performance while tossing 29 excellent sets to backstop Jaja Santiago, who had a game-high 26 as NU salvaged the victory after nearly blowing a 2-0 set loss with a lackluster showing in the next two.

“The team’s reception and communication disappeared (in the third and fourth sets after taking the first two),” said NU coach Babes Castillo. “ We just have to give 100 percent from whistle to whistle for us to win. We need to communicate better and respond better.”

Jho Maraguinot had 16 for the Lady Eagles, who suffered another numbing five-setter after the setback to Far Eastern last Sunday.

Earlier, Sisi Rondina followed up her 28-point opening day explosion with a 20-point output in leading University of Santo Tomas to a 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 victory over University of the East.

Rondina also had nine digs as the Tigresses got on track after their 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-15, 8-15 loss to defending champion La Salle last Saturday.

“It’s a good bounce back coming from the five-set loss,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes. “We’re able to execute on service and minimize our errors this time.”

The Lady Warriors fell to 0-2.

In men’s play, the Tigers walloped the Warriors, 25-11, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15, to get the top view at 2-0 while holder Ateneo reasserted its mastery over rival NU, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 25-19, to atone for its straight-set loss to Far Eastern last weekend.

Four-time MVP Marck Espejo scored 24 complemented by 19 excellent reception and seven digs as the Blue Eagles