The undermanned Lady Bulldogs survived a gritty UP side, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, in the opener of their best-of-three semis series late Monday and the defending champions expect a tougher challenge from the Lady Maroons in their 4 p.m. encounter. The Lady Bulldogs, who swept the Lady Eagles in sudden death to clinch last year’s crown in the mid-season conference of the league where it all started, scored 62 attack points against UP’s 46 in Game One but still needed to scramble to get past their rivals, who came through with 10 blocks against NU’s six. But the Lady Bulldogs proved steadier in the end with Santiago imposing her 6-4 frame, Singh firing in clutch kills and Doromal and Sato providing solid backup and Nabor not only delivering the playmaking chores but also scoring with her dumps and kills, being a former spiker. The Lady Maroons, however, are expected to come up with the necessary adjustments with coach Jerry Yee hopeful to draw the best from the likes of skipper Kathy Bersola, Isa Molde, Nicole Tiamzon, Marian Buitre, Justine Dorog and setter Mae Basarte. Games today(semis)4 p.m. – NU vs UP6 p.m. – Ateneo vs FEU

Source: Manila Times September 06, 2016 14:37 UTC