NU nips Ateneo to win crown

A record crown for a record run.

Incredibly resilient, National University turned back Ateneo, 25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 26-24, to capture its first Shakey’s V-League championship yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

Rubie de Leon virtually did everything for the Lady Bulldogs, carrying her squad past the defending champion Lady Eagles in the pulsating fourth set of the do-or-die Game 3.

“They never gave up,” coach Edjet Mabbayad said after his Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the best-of-three series at 2-1. “We had good distribution and teamwork. I saw the maturity of the team and everyone really wanted to win.”

Named as the Finals Most Valuable Player, De Leon figured in the Lady Bulldogs’ last two plays by scoring on a crafty toss that hit an open Ateneo back row before setting up Dindin Santiago’s match-clinching kill.

Santiago, the season MVP, topscored with 17 built on 15 attacks and a pair of service aces to power the Lady Bulldogs to their first volleyball crown in over five decades.

“We’re really happy because this is history for NU,” said the 6-foot-2 Santiago.

De Leon delivered with 13 points, including four service aces and three blocks, as the Lady Bulldogs foiled the Lady Eagles’ historic bid for a third First Conference title.

Myla Pablo, Carmina Aganon and Jaja Santiago also came through key plays in the thrilling finale of a breakthrough season where the Lady Bulldogs surprisingly emerged as the top seeds.

Earlier, the University of Santo Tomas secured third place after downing Adamson in a 25-18, 19-25, 25-29, 25-16 decision.

Pam Lastimosa unloaded 19 points and Maika Ortiz had 16 to lead the Tigresses, who failed to advance to the title round for the first time in 11 conferences. “It’s the next best thing,” said UST coach Odje Mamon

Aganon fired 13 points, highlighted by a block and a set-clinching kill, 25-20, after the Lady Eagles rallied within 20-23 in the second frame.

Pablo also unloaded 13 markers, while the 6-foot-4 Jaja Santiago proved to be a frontline force anew to finish with 12 points.

“It’s a winner-take-all, so we really gave our best,” said De Leon after the Lady Bulldogs copped their first volleyball crown since winning back-to-back UAAP titles in 1956 and 1957.

Ateneo took Game 1 in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22, 25-23, but NU foiled the Lady Eagles’ title sweep bid last week with a 26-24, 25-23, 25-22 triumph in Game 2.

“We lost our momentum when we had three service errors [late in the fourth set],” said Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb.

The Lady Eagles dominated the third frame, 25-17, behind Alyssa Valdez, Jeng Bualee and Rachel Daquis, and looked poise to push the match to a deciding set. /inquirer