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UAAP volleyball: Santiago dominates as NU beats Ateneo

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src=" http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/02/08/jaja-santiago-020817.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">NU&#x27;s Jaja Santiago celebrates with setter Jasmine Nabor. Arvin Lim, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs notched a milestone victory on Wednesday as they overcame the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in four sets in the UAAP Season 79 tournament at the Arena in San Juan.With Jaja Santiago putting on an MVP-level performance and Jasmine Nabor pulling the strings, the Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Eagles, 25-17, 25-13, 19-25, 29-27.It marked the first time that NU defeated Ateneo since the second round Season 76 tournament, in what was former captain Dindin Santiago&#x27;s final year with the Lady Bulldogs. With the win, NU moved to 2-0 to seize the solo lead, and Ateneo dropped to 1-1.&quot;Andoon kami sa gusto naming tahakin na landas,&quot; said NU coach Roger Gorayeb, whose squad is one of the favorites for the title this season. &quot;Pero hindi pa rin sapat para masabi na kung ano ang outcome ng UAAP.&quot;&quot;Marami pang mga laro, marami pa kaming pagdadaanan. We&#x27;ll try to win as many games as possible,&quot; he added.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/02/08/lady-tams-pound-lady-falcons-bounce-back-win-21573">Lady Tams pound Lady Falcons in bounce back win</a></li></ul>Santiago was simply dominant, scoring 26 points on 19 attacks and six blocks while coming up with huge hits in the nip-and-tuck final set. Jorelle Singh added 16 points, and Risa Sato contributed 12 markers. As a team, NU registered 14 kill blocks and 12 aces.The Lady Bulldogs cruised to comfortable wins in the first two frames, pouncing on Ateneo&#x27;s sloppy service reception to post huge leads. NU had 11 service aces in the first two sets alone, and the Lady Eagles looked off-kilter on both ends of the floor.But the Lady Eagles recovered in the third set, having more success with their first ball and utilizing not just their wing players but also their middles. Bea de Leon made her mark in the frame, and NU began to succumb to unforced errors of their own.&quot;Kung ordinaryong team &#x27;yan, hindi na babawi sa amin &#x27;yan. Pero halos tinambakan nila kami noong third set,&quot; Gorayeb said of Ateneo.It appeared as though the match was headed to a deciding fifth frame, as Gorayeb acknowledged that his players were &quot;tense&quot; in the third and early in the fourth. The Lady Eagles raced to a 12-4 lead in the fourth frame, with De Leon again making an impact with a single block on Santiago as well as quick hits.In seasons past, the Lady Bulldogs would have crumbled in the face of such a deficit. They displayed greater mental strength this time around, however, with Santiago and Singh conspiring in a 7-1 exchange that turned a 17-22 deficit into a 24-23 advantage.The Lady Eagles, tabbed as a rebuilding team in Season 79 after losing Alyssa Valdez, showed composure as well, as they saved four match points. De Leon, Kat Tolentino, and setter Jia Morado all answered Santiago&#x27;s quick hits with attacks of their own, with Morado&#x27;s drop tying the match for the last time at 27.Unfortunately for Ateneo, the setter committed a service error in the next rally, and NU setter Jasmine Nabor capped another sensational game by blocking Michelle Morente&#x27;s final attack to wrap up the impressive win.&quot;Nagpapasalamat ako at nanalo kami,&quot; said Gorayeb. &quot;Mahirap kasi kung umabot ng fifth set &#x27;yan. Magle-level eh, at mataas na &#x27;yung kumpyansa ng Ateneo. Mahirap na talunin &#x27;yun ng ganoon lang.&quot;The Lady Eagles again displayed a balanced offense, with De Leon tallying 14 points on nine attacks and four blocks. Jho Maraguinot added 12, though she converted only 10 of her 34 attempts. Morente had 11 points.However, the Lady Eagles&#x27; first ball and floor defense – their areas of concern since last season – again came up short especially in the first two frames.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs notched a milestone victory on Wednesday as they overcame the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in four sets in the UAAP Season 79 tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs notched a milestone victory on Wednesday as they overcame the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in four sets in the UAAP Season 79 tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

UAAP volleyball: Santiago dominates as NU beats Ateneo

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UAAP volleyball: Santiago dominates as NU beats Ateneo

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 08, 2017 06:20 PM PHT

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UAAP

volleyball

NU Lady Bulldogs

Ateneo Lady Eagles

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