By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs fended off the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 25-11, 25-12 and 25-14, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, July 13.

Myrtle Totica Escanlar stepped up offensively with nine points, on eight attacks and a block, as the reigning UAAP women’s volleyball tournament champions Lady Bulldogs reached the semifinals round.

According to the Negros Occidental’s Pontevedra-native, the Lady Bulldogs had to adjust against USPF as they played a different system compared to those being run by Manila-based schools.

“I guess it is somehow different po compared to Manila-based teams kasi ‘yung systems ng provincial-based teams iba. It really took a while for us to adjust kasi iba po ‘yung laruan nila,” Escanlar said.

“Sa game naman namin, you can expect that we will give our best kasi it starts with the seniors because they give their best every game, so to follow na lang ‘yung mga behind them,” she added.

Sheena Toring led the way for the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points, Kaye Bombita contributed nine markers, while Mhicaela Belen and Arah Panique added six markers each.

“We still need to work on our passing and blocking, and also in our connections, especially ‘yung chemistry ng rookies sa mga seniors nila,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel said.

No player from the Cebu-based USPF reached double-figure output, with Dya Mejos and Kaye Bunao finishing with seven and five points, respectively./ASC, WDJ