Lady Bulldogs clinch first finals berth

MANILA, Philippines - National University bucked a sluggish start before reasserting its mastery over Far Eastern U, 20-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16, yesterday to clinch the first finals berth in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

But University of Santo Tomas refused to give up and shocked erstwhile unbeaten and top seed Ateneo with a spectacular 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 victory to force a sudden death for the other finals berth.

Playing on sheer guts and determination, the Tigresses bounced back strong in the second set then weathered the Lady Eagles’ fightback in the next two to hack out the thrilling two-hour victory and avenge their 25-27, 16-25, 17-25 loss in the series’ opener last Saturday.

UST and reigning UAAP titlist Ateneo dispute the last finals seat in sudden death on Wednesday at 4 p.m., also at The Arena.

“I just told the players to show some respect to themselves by playing their best,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes. “And they were scrapping to get those balls, they were hustling. They just don’t want to give up.”

The loss was the Lady Eagles’ first after sweeping their first 10 games in the group stages and the quarters of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Ennajie Laure, Carmela Tunay, Marivic Meneses, skipper Pam Lastimosa and Jessey de Leon combined for 61 hits with Sarah Verutiao chipping in three aces and a four-hit output for the league’s winningest squad with six titles.

Valdez wound up with 24 hits while Bea de Leon and Kim Gequillana added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Lady Eagles.

The Tigresses, who put up a three-block rotation to neutralize Valdez, nearly blew big leads in the last two sets but showed character and composure each time to survive the Lady Eagles’ fiery comeback.

Six match points up at 24-18, the Tigresses fumbled with their reception, enabling Valdez to singlehandedly carry the Lady Eagles back to within two at 22-24 with her sharp attacks and a drop shot.