The National University Bulldogs continues their dominant ways as they blanked the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 5-0. The Morayta-based squad did not have any answers to the well-oiled Bulldog machine.
Roslee Pedrosa opened the NU barrage by corralling Tamaraw Justine Tercias in straight sets, 21-12, 21-12. After a solid 3-0 start by Pedrosa in the first set, he established a 13-7 lead, capitalizing on faulty receptions by Tercias. Tercias then closed the gap, 13-11, but a pivotal 8-1 run by Pedrosa sealed the first set in favor of the NU Bulldog. Pedrosa then made sure that Tercias will be kept at bay. Following a 10-3 start, Pedrosa never looked back, winning the match via straight sets.
NU’s Keeyan Gabuelo sustained Pedrosa’s winning ways after beating Josh Maquelabit, 23-21, 21-12. Gabuelo and Maquelabit were neck-and-neck in the first set, exchanging blows to reach the 20-all standoff. Maquelabit was first to reached 21, but Gabuelo’s timely hits would be the FEU Tamaraw’s undoing, closing the set 23-21. Less errors from Gabuelo in the second set led him to winning the match, as he pummeled Maquelabit, 21-12, in the second set.
The tandem of Ariel Magnaye and Alvin Morada sealed the win for NU, as they dispatched the doubles team of Estarco Bacalso and Vince Lagnada, 21-9, 24-22. Magnaye and Morada had a field day in the opening set, erecting a 15-4 lead. The Bacalso-Lagnada pair churned out 5 more points that proved insufficient, as NU handled Set 1, 21-9. However, the second set was a different story. The FEU duo established a five-point advantage, 14-9 and almost forced a deciding set by reaching set point, 20-18. But Magnaye and Morada proved their wares as they mounted a comeback, stealing the set 24-22.
Pedrosa and Paul Gonzales the conspired for the NU squad as they squeaked past Maquelabit and Rafael Dionisio, 21-13, 21-15. A 6-2 blitz by the NU tandem, mostly from precisely-timed attacks established their momentum that carried on to the 21-13 affair in the opening set. The ensuing set had Pedrosa and Gonzales continuing to dissect FEU receptions as they marched on to win the match, 21-15
To close the day, Magnaye schooled Dioniso in the last singles match, 21-15, 21-10 to deliver NU to an easy 5-0 sweep over their Morayta-based counterparts.
NU Head Coach Jojo Mance had nothing but nice words to compliment his wards. He cited that hours of practice bore fruit and resulted in another Bulldog victory.
He also reminded his team to stay relaxed and get in the flow of the game. “Try your best na huwag magpaapekto sa pressure, confidence is key,” the coach remarked.
Mance is also wary of their match tomorrow against fellow standings leaders DLSU. He added that both teams have Philippine Team members, but NU’s edge is that they have more experienced athletes. “Kunin niyo ung bawat laro, huwag niyo hintayin na ibigay sa inyo,” Mance explains.
