DEFENDING champion National University leaned on the towering presence of Jaja Santiago as it overpowered a hapless St. Benilde side, 25-11, 25-14, 25-17, on Thursday to sweep its quarterfinals matches in the V-League at The Arena in San Juan.
The 6-foot-3 Santiago, who missed several games in the eliminations to play for the national team in the recent Asian Club Championship in Thailand, rammed in 10 kills and finished with 18 hits, including five blocks.
So impressive was Santiago that NU had the luxury of sitting out her elder sister Dindin, who struggled with a season low two hits, in the third and final set.
Myla Pablo and Aiko Urdas had 11 and 10 hits, respectively, for NU.
“Jaja was spectacular in this win,” said NU coach Ariel de la Cruz.
The CSB Lady Blazers wound up with a 0-3 slate in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
The NU-St. Benilde clash and the UST-Adamson faceoff will be telecast Friday starting at 1 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel, according to the organizing Sports Vision.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
