NU ends UP’s volleyball Final Four hopes

MANILA, Philippines – They had a great bounce-back season but the UP Lady Maroons will not be in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball Final Four picture. 

That became the case following a three-set, 25-21, 25-16, 26-15 beating at the hands of no. 3 seed NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, February 22, at the San Juan Arena. 

The loss dropped UP to 5-9, which ranks behind FEU and UST, both of whom are tied for the no. 4 seed at 6-8.

Star Lady Bulldog Jaja Santiago finished with 17 points, while Myla Pablo put up 12 and Jorelle Singh recorded 10.  

National U finished with 9 block points, and outscored UP in attack markers, 36-21. 

Despite having nothing major to play for after attaining a postseason seed on Wednesday, February 18, NU still came out guns ablaze and didn’t let up for a second to finish their eliminations campaign at 8-6. 

National U has gone 6-3 since enlisting former Ateneo head coach Roger Gorayeb, who took over the team when they had a 2-3 record and was one of the biggest disappointments early in Season 77. 

“The girls played really well today,” said Gorayeb in Tagalog after the match. 

Nicole Tiamzon and Marian Buitre recorded 9 points each for UP, who couldn’t make up the loss of Kathy Bersola in the second round. The Lady Maroons star tore her ACL in the first round against Adamson. 

UP was actually in good position to make the Final Four just a few days back, but a loss to FEU on Wednesday paired with Sunday’s performance have them eliminated early.

Nonetheless, UP’s 2014-2015 campaign was still an improvement from their 3-11 showing last season.

NU now awaits the winner of the contest between FEU and UST to determine who they face in the stepladder Final Four system.

– Rappler.com