Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Lady Luck smiled once again on National University (NU) as the Lady Bulldogs clinched their second Shakey’s V-League collegiate conference title at the expense of Ateneo, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, at The Arena in San Juan on Sunday (October 4).
NU, whose Pep Squad just captured the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) cheerdance competition crown yesterday (October 3), simply did everything right from the get-go to topple the fancied Lady Eagles.
So fluid was the Lady Bulldogs’ attack that they had troubles only in the second set when Bea De Leon held the fort on both ends for Ateneo.
Still, NU prevailed behind Finals MVP Myla Pablo.
Relatively quiet in the first two sets, tournament MVP Alyssa Valdez felt the sense of urgency and made her presence felt in the final canto with four straight points to keep Ateneo within striking distance, 7-10.
But it only gave the Lady Eagles, who were undefeated heading into the last dance, a brief reprieve as the eventual champions shifted into high gear from there en route to the victory.
It also didn’t help that Ateneo committed three turnovers in the homestretch, the last of which put the stranglehold on the victory for NU.
“Hindi namin inasahan (na straight-set win),” said Pablo, whose 13 attacks included timely points
It was, of course, a bittersweet moment for NU coach Roger Gorayeb.
“Yung ibang players sa Ateneo malapit pa rin sa puso ko,” Gorayeb, the former Ateneo mentor, said moments after their straight-set conquest of the opposition.
Nonetheless, the amiable coach was proud with what his new wards pulled off.
“As a coach masayang-masaya ako,” he said. “Walang amount ng pera ang makakatumbas sa kaligayahan ko para sa players ko.”
