The Jaja Santiago-led National University Lady Bulldogs opened their season on a high note with a 25-15, 25-23, 16-25, 25-13 triumph over Adamson University Lady Falcons in the first day of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
All eyes were on the Lady Falcons as it suddenly became a strong team this season boasting their returning players Mylene Paat and Fen Emnas, alongside former La Salle starter Eli Soyud, and rookie Chiara Permentilla.
Unfortunately for the Lady Bulldogs––who are now with a new head coach Babes Castillo––their returning veteran libero Bia General was deemed ineligible to play this season.
But despite being outnumbered in terms of players, the prowess of NU was still too much for the much-improved Adamson squad to win their opening match in four sets.
Santiago led all scorers with 16 points, with Aiko Urdas and Audrey Paran combining for 18 markers. All of which would be impossible without the impressive ball distribution of Jasmin Nabor, who was able to tally 22 excellent sets despite dealing with shaky first balls.
Permentilla top-scored for the Lady Falcons with 12 points. Team captain Jema Galanza was in her usual self in defense, but she only had 6 points in this game, far from here usual double-digit outputs.
Player of the Game: Jaja Santiago, 16 points (11 attacks, 4 blocks, 1 service ace).
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