MANILA, Philippines – National University bucked a third set loss to subdue University of Santo Tomas, 25-13, 25-14, 21-25, 25-14, and move closer in nailing a second straight girls championship yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 high school volleyball tournament at the Adamson University gym.
Behind reigning MVP Faith Nisperos and 15-year-old middle hitter Thea Gagante, the Bullpups were dominant in the first two sets but the Junior Tigresses, using their drop shots to contain their opponents’ blocking, rallied in the third frame with Eya Laure leading the way.
But NU regrouped in the fourth set as Nisperos and Gagante again took charge to seize the opener of the best-of-three title series.
The Bullpups go for the jugular in Game 2 tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the same venue.
Far Eastern University-Diliman, meanwhile, downed UST, 24-26, 25-13, 25-18, 25-19, in the first boys step-ladder semifinals match.
The victory assured the Baby Tamaraws a podium finish in their second season in the high school volleyball tournament. FEU will face defending champion and No. 2 seed University of the East in the second step-ladder duel tomorrow at 9 a.m.
NU is in the finals with a thrice-to-beat incentive after completing a 12-game elimination round sweep.