National University Snatches Shakey's V-League Collegiate Crown from Ateneo

The 2015 Shakey's V-League Collegiate Conference wrapped up on Sunday as the National University Lady Bulldogs edged title-favorites Ateneo De Manila Lady Eagles in three games at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The collegiate conference lured 12 teams that were divided into two groups. Group A had Arellano University, Far Eastern University, National University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Baguio and University of the Philippines. Group B was composed of Ateneo de Manila University, College of St. Benilde, De La Salle - Dasmarinas, San Sebastian College, Technological Institute of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas. After the eliminations, the top four teams from groups A and B were pooled together into one group where each team will play against the other schools from their previous group. The top four teams in the quarterfinals pool will then qualify for the semifinals where the top-ranked team will face the fourth seeded team and the second and third place team face eachother in a best-of-three series.

Going into the finals match, Ateneo only had one loss in the tournament and it came at the expense of University of Santo Tomas in the second game of their semifinals match. The Loyola-based lady spikers was once thought to be invincible as they swept the elimination round and was riding on a 10-game winning streak before they were brought back to Earth by the Tigresses. They eventually avenged their defeat against UST and went on to the Finals against NU.

On the other hand, NU finished the elimination round with a 4-1 record and took the number 2 spot after the quarterfinals that sent them to a semifinals clash with third seed FEU. Going into the semis, NU played without their guest-player Dindin Santiago-Manabat as she was commitment to play for the National Team in Vietnam for the Asian Club Tournament. But it hardly mattered as it clobbered FEU in 2 straight games to arrange a title duel against the Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles.

Shakey's V-League feted awards to the best performers of the collegiate conference. Crowd-darling Alyssa Valdez was awarded as the tournament’s Most Valuable player and also got the nod as the 1st Best Outside Spiker. Other awardees are Valdez’s teammates Gizelle Tan (Best Setter) and Bea De Leon (2nd Best Middle Blocker), UST’s EJ Laure (2nd Best Outside Spiker), NU’s Jaja Santiago (1st Best Middle Blocker) & Bia General (Best Libero), and FEU guest-player Jovelyn Gonzaga (Best Opposite Spiker).

In the first game of the finals, Ateneo completely dominated NU, 25-19, 25-13, 25-21, behind Alyssa Valdez's 20 points on 15 attacks, 2 blocks and 3 service aces. Valdez got ample support from Kim Gequillana as she poured her season-best 11 points. Ateneo pounced on every opportunity right from the get go as NU, who was still without Dindin, struggled with their reception in the early goings. This prompted NU head coach Roger Gorayeb to field in his bench players early. In the third set, NU turned back to their veterans Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo as they looked to win the set. But misfortunes led them to lose their 20-18 lead as Ateneo scored 4 straight points enroute to winning the set 25-21.

While NU didn't have Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Ateneo on the other hand missed the services of their head coach Tai Bundit as he is on official break from the team to attend to a coaching seminar. Coach Tai was reported to miss the entire championship series of the Shakey's V-League. Assistant coach Parley Tupaz took over for the Lady Eagles.

Game 2 was completely a different story. Dindin Santiago-Manabat was back and that was enough to lift the energy of her teammates to even the series with an emphatic 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 win over Ateneo. IT was NU's total team effort in both offenst and defense that led them to straight sets victory. Jaja Santiago led the team with 13 points while returning Dindin and player of the game Myla Pablo both contributed 12 points. Team Captain Jorelle Singh also had valuabale contribution with 8 points. Aside from setting up for her teammates, veteran setter Rubie De Leon was also able to contribute 5 points.

Alyssa Valdez was held to a career-low output of 9 points. Meanwhile, Bea De Leon, Jhoanna Maraguinot, Amy Ahomiro and Kim Gequillana all had 6 points each for Ateneo.

Heading into Game 3, both teams knew they had to bring their A-game to get the title. Alyssa Valdez vowed to bounce back from a lackluster performance while the Santiago sisters will try to complete a comeback and take home the championship.

As Game 3 went under way, it was clear that NU was able to bring their momentum as they started the first set strong while Ateneo scrambled and tried to determine what was wrong with them. Team captain Jorelle Singh and Jaja Santiago anchored the offense for the Lady Bulldogs as they easily took the first set 25-21. In the second set, Ateneo looked to even the score as they were able to take the lead 24-23 in the second set behind Bea De Leon and the effective setting of Gizelle Tan.

However, NU pounced on the defensive miscues of their opponent as they were able to steal the set, 26-24.

Things turned ugly for Ateneo in the third set as they committed consecutive errors early in the third set. Alyssa Valdez, who was relatively not a factor in the first two sets tried to save her team as she scored consecutive points to eventually tie the game at 10-all. But NU’s confidence shifted to a higher gear as they were able to contain Ateneo’s momentum and have a scoring run of their own to build a 19-12 lead. Still not giving up, Ateneo had another scoring spurt before finally giving NU the match point on De Leon’s service error.

Just like in Game 2, Myla Pablo again led her team to victory with 15 points on 13 attacks and a service ace. The 22-year old native of Tarlac was later adjudged as the Finals MVP of the tournament. She would later give credit to Coach Roger Gorayeb for bringing out the best in her and being a father-figure not only to her but to the team as well. Dindin Manabat had 11 for NU while Jaja Santiago and Jorelle Singh both had 10 points.

Alyssa Valdez scored only 14 points (11 attacks) for the Lady Eagles. Bea de Leon and Amy Ahomiro backed her up with 10 and 9 points respectively.

As NU started celebrating on the court, Ateneo tried to console and compose themselves knowing the tournament served them valuable lessons they can use in preparation for their bigger wars ahead. In the spirit of sportsmanship, Coach Roger Gorayeb did not hesitate to call out his former team to join them in celebration which was happily accepted as Ateneo and NU shared the stage for photos.

As for Coach Roger Gorayeb, this is his second title of the season in the Shakey's V-League as he also won the Open Conference with PLDT Home Ultera in May. In that conference, Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago teammed up for Gorayeb as they toppled the Army Lady Troopers.

The collegiate conference may have ended but the Shakey's V-League is set to return after a week for its third conference of the season dubbed as the Reinforced Conference. Volleyball fans will surely be in for a treat as club teams have formed formidable teams comprised of former and current collegiate standouts.

Click the link to view more photos of the Shakey's V-League Collegiate Conference Finals.

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