NU-Sta. Elena on a roll

Games Tuesday:
(Paco Arena)
2:30 p.m. — VNS vs Sta. Elena
5:30 p.m. — Cignal vs Navy

National University-Sta. Elena proved too much for PGJC-Navy to handle as the Nationals hammered out a 25-21, 25-17, 26-24 victory over the Sealions in the Spikers' Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila Saturday.

The young but tall and talented Nationals outdueled the Sealions in a tense first set, dominated the second then bounced back from early three-point deficits in the third to complete the straight-set victory.

Last Thursday, the Nationals rallied from two sets down to stun the Cignal HD Spikers.

With its second win, Sta. Elena assured itself of at least a tie for the second finals berth.

The Nationals gun for a sweep of the semifinals against the VNS-One Alicia Griffins on Tuesday.

The loss dropped Navy to 1-1.

"Credit to the boys, they really wanted to win. But it's all hard work," Sta. Elena coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

The Nationals came through with 12 kill blocks against the Sealions' nine.

The Sealions started strong in the third, staying 3-up at 9-6 before the Nationals seized control on an 11-5 run for a 17-14 lead and pulled away at 20-16 on a Navy hitting error.

Navy, however, mounted its own rally, winning five of the next six points to force a tie at 21. The Sealions survived the first match point on an Obed Mukaba service error but the Nationals regained the lead on a disputed Navy mishit before Nico Almendras finished them off with a clear hit that the latter had failed to defend.