NATIONAL University whipped Ateneo on opening day, pulling off a straight sets win on Sunday in the 76th UAAP women's volleyball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Dindin Santiago led the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points from 14 spikes, one block and three service aces as NU, eyeing a first title in six decades, started with a bang while handing last year's runner-up Ateneo a stunning loss, 25-17, 25-22, 25-17.
NU took control of the entire match up as it capitalized on the Lady Eagles' 27 team errors.
"Ginawa lang ng mga bata 'yung mga inensayo namin," said NU coach Edjet Mabbayad. "Pero one step at a time lang kami unang hakbang pa lang ito."
Already up by six in the final set, 21-15, the Lady Bulldogs stretched the gap, 23-15.
Ateneo, however, earned two points after NU committed two service errors but that proved the closest the Lady Eagles got as Santiago put the game away for the Lady Bulldogs.
Dindin's younger sister Jaja came up with eight markers, while Myla Pablo added eight points and Carmin Aganon contributed six for NU.
Alyssa Valdez had 16 points for Ateneo, while Amy Ahomiro had eight and Michelle Morente added six.
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