NU, La Salle in sudden death for last Finals berth

MANILA, Philippines -- National University and De La Salle clash in a sudden-death match with the survivor taking on defending champion Ateneo in the UAAP Season 77 women's volleyball Finals in the semifinals decider at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.      

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, seek their first-ever men's championship against the Bulldogs in Game 2 of the best-of-three series in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m.      

The once-moribund NU is on the brink advancing to the title round in the Final Four era as it won two must-win step-ladder semifinals matches.      

The Lady Bulldogs, who are written off as contenders after starting the season at 2-3, dragged the second-ranked Lady Spikers to a rubber match with a stunning 25-20, 25-20, 25-19 victory last Wednesday.        Despite the shock loss, La Salle will not just roll over and die and give NU the second title round slot in a silver platter. 

"Makikita na yung adjustments during the actual game na," said Lady Bulldogs coach Roger Gorayeb. "Pero come Saturday (today), full of confidence ang mga bata."

It was NU's blocking that spelled the difference, as skipper Desiree Dadang recorded five of her team's 11, including a single block against Mika Reyes late in the third set.       

NU's towering 6-foot-4 hitter Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Rizza Mandapat and rookie Jorelle Singh sustained their consistent play, making the Bustillos-based squad more dangerous.       

The Lady Spikers must show the spunk that won them multiple titles in the past one and a half decades.       

Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo were the only La Salle's who scored in twin digits, as middle hitters Reyes, Majoy Baron and utility spiker Desiree Cheng must step up their game by being aggressive right from the get go.      

The winner of the do-or-die match will face thrice-to-beat Ateneo in the Finals starting Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Eagles, who swept the double-round eliminations, last played on Feb. 18 and are training hard despite the long break.     

With reigning MVP Marck Espejo leading the way, Ateneo is gunning for its first men's title since joining the league in 1978.     

The Eagles hacked out a 25-19, 30-28, 20-25, 25-22 victory over three-peat seeking Bulldogs in the Finals opener last Wednesday.       

NU could not find a way in neutralizing Espejo, who fired a personal season-high 31 hits to give Ateneo the upper hand in the Finals.      

Eagles mentor Oliver Almadro hopes to get the job in Game 2 and not give the Bulldogs an inch to get a lifeline in the series.      

"I hope we sustain our level of play in Game 2," said Almadro, who are seeking to draw big games from Ysay Marasigan and Josh Villanueva.     

Although they played well in Game 1, Peter Torres, Rueben Inaudito, Berlin Paglinawan and Edwin Tolentino must elevate their performance for NU.