MANILA – University of the East Lady Warriors shackled National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-16, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at San Juan Arena.
Mean Mendrez led the way with 19 points, all coming off attacks, while Judith Abil contributed triple-double of 13 points, 29 digs and 21 excellent receptions for the Lady Warriors.
Seth Rodriguez also chipped in 12 markers while Lai Bendong has 32 excellent sets for the Lady Warriors, which halted its four-game losing skid to improve its win-loss record to 2-6.
“Kailangang-kailangan namin ‘yung panalo talaga, kasi sayang naman, lalo na for the graduating players. Six or seven kasi sila na graduating,” said Lady Warriors rookie coach Karl Dimaculangan.
He added: “Ang ano lang namin is kung hindi man kami aabot sa Final Four, ilaban lang sana namin ‘yung rank namin na hindi na kami laging No. 8 sa standings for ilang years.”
After handily winning the first two sets, the Lady Warriors seemed headed to a straight set triumph after taking a 24-18 lead in the third frame but surrendered eight straight points to the Lady Bulldogs to extend the match.
The Lady Warriors got their bearing just in time by building a 16-12 lead in the fourth set before thwarting the Lady Bulldogs attempt to stretch the match to a decider on hits from Mendrez and Abil.
Ilongga Princess Robles scored 13 points, all from kills, to go along with 21 excellent receptions, while Ivy Lacsina had 11 markers and 19 digs for the Lady Bulldogs, which fell to 2-6./PN
