NU tossers nip Blazers in debut

MANILA, Philippines - National University snatched a thrilling five-setter of a win over league veteran St. Benilde, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12, in an auspicious debut in the Shakey’s V-League Season 7 second conference at The Arena in San Juan late Sunday.

Mervic Mangui sprayed the Lady Blazers with 25 kills and wound up with 26 points while Maricar Nepomuceno and Elaine Sagun backed her up with 20 and 16 hits as the Lady Bulldogs proved steadier in the decider to humble their rivals and join the fancied San Sebastian Lady Stags and the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the early lead.

NU, one of the two newcomers in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, the other being Perpetual Help, showed a lot of promise on both ends, coming up with 12 blocks, including five from Nepomuceno, against St. Benilde’s measly three-block output.

Denise Santiago, one of the team’s two guest players, also provided the experience and leadership for the team, scoring 11 points, including three blocks. Daphne Santiago, NU’s other guest player, finished with three hits.

St. Benilde looked headed for a big rebound with a convincing win in the fourth set but the Blazers’ charge fizzled out in the face of the Lady Bulldogs’ solid performance in the decider.

Giza Yumang scattered 18 hits, guest player Zhar Velez added 10, Cindy Optana shot nine and Kara Agero had seven for the Blazers in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof.

It was an inspiring start for NU, which provided the thrill and excitement lacking in the straight-set romps by title favorites SSC-Excelroof and Ateneo.

The Lady Stags clipped the Lady Pirates, 25-15, 25-15, 27-25, while the Lady Eagles dominated the Far Eastern U Lady Tams, 25-19, 25-19, 28-26.