NATIONAL University (NU) inched closer to a semifinals sweep as the Lady Bulldogs turned the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers into duds, 25-11, 25-15, 25-13, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference on Monday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Filipino-Japanese middle blocker Risa Sato stood out with 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks and one ace for the two-time defending champion Lady Bulldogs, who cruised to their fourth straight win in Group A.
But their fourth win only guaranteed the Lady Bulldogs a playoff for a semifinals berth at this point. Breathing down NU’s next are Ateneo de Manila (3-1) and third running Far Eastern University (2-1).
NU Head Coach Babes Castillo said that sweeping Group A would not be a walk in a park as they take on the Lady Eagles in their last assignment on Saturday.
“It’s a tall order to accomplish. We will just stick to our system, try to put up a solid and do our respective roles,” Castillo said.
The loss was the Lady Bombers’ fourth straight.
Far Eastern University (FEU) notched its fifth straight win at the expense of University of the Philippines (UP), 25-22, 23-25, 26-24, 25-14, in men’s action also on Monday.
National team spiker Peter Quiel and John Paul Bugaoan finished with 15 points each for the Tamaraws, who won five straight since losing their season opener to trail unbeaten leader Ateneo de Manila (6-0).
FEU and UP have already qualified for the semifinal round.
Redijohn Paler made 13 hits with eight digs and as many as excellent receptions and playmaker Kris Silang dished out 34 excellent sets for FEU.
John Millete and Wendel Miguel scored 17 and 12 points, respectively, for UP, which crashed out of contention with a 1-5 record.
San Beda made a quick work of dethroned champion College of Saint Benilde, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22, to keep its slim semifinals hope alive. The Red Lions improved to a 2-3 card to share fifth spot with idle University of Santo Tomas.
Mark Enciso scattered 14 points and Limuel Patenio 10 markers for the Red Spikers.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza