NATIONAL U TURNS BACK UPSET-CONSCIOUS LADY WARRIORS
By Ardyn Gonzales
4 February 2017
National University shrugged off first set loss and survived the upset attempt of the improved UE Lady Warriors, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-13, to start the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Coming off a win against Adamson that stopped their 58-game losing streak last season, the Lady Warriors surprised everyone as they pulled off a 13-5 lead over NU in the first set. Capitalizing on the floor defense of NU that was nowhere to be found, UE was able to get the set, 25-18, after a service ace from Judith Abil.
But with team captain Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas, and rookie Risa Sato leading the way, NU was able to retaliate and bounce back to get the next three sets and their first win of the season.
It was a showdown between the team captains Jaja Santiago and Shaya Adorador who both scored 21 points. But Santiago got more help with Sato, Urdas, and Singh all tallying two-digit scores.
Although it was the 19 errors of NU that made them loss the first set, the Lady Warriors showed perseverance and killer instinct which they hope to continue on their next game against UP on February 11. While NU will be tested by the last season’s runner up Ateneo, who also have a 1-0 record, on February 7.
Player of the Game: Jaja Santiago, 21 points.
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