With Season 76, Rookie of the Year, John Russel Misal, the National University (NU) Bulldogs started their Table Tennis campaign on September 13-14, 2014 at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym. NU would end up at 5th place behind season 76 hosts, The Adamson University (AdU) Falcons.
NU vs AdU (0-1)
J.R. Misal would be the only bright spot for NU during their match-up against AdU. Misal would avenge teammate, C. Villamor’s 0-3 loss with a 3-0 win against AdU’s Salera to tie the series at 1-1. NU failed to grab any more wins and lost the series, 1-3
NU vs DLSU (0-2)
The Bulldogs next match pitied them against the Taft-based, De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Paddlers. NU was overmatched and succumbed to DLSU, 0-3.
NU vs ADMU (1-2)
NU got to taste their first victory when they faced the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Paddlers. Ateneo, also looking for their first win in the tournament, struck first by winning the first two singles matches, 3-2 both. Down 0-2, NU would rally behind the doubles pair of C.J. Carrasco and R.J. Tirante defeating their Ateneo counterparts, 3-2. The Bulldogs did not look back after that, and grabbed two more wins behind M.Huab, who won 3-2, and C.Villamor, who scored, 3-1.
NU vs UST (1-3)
J.R. Misal was once again the only one who grabbed a set against the University of Santo Tomas (UST), who was NU’s next match-up. The match featured a repeat of what happened against AdU, where Misal avenged their 1st set loss, but the rest of the Bulldogs couldn’t finish. UST wins 3-1.
NU vs UE (2-3)
Coming from a loss, the Nationalians bounced back against the University of the East (UE) Warriors. With the series tied 1-1, NU lost the lead with a, 2-3 loss in the doubles match. M. Huab gave the Bulldogs hope, after he beat UE’s Soriano, 3-0. NU’s C.Villamor, with the game on the balance, closed the match for NU and won, 3-2.
NU vs FEU (2-4)
The Bulldogs, put up a fight against their next opponent, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws. The singles match between Huala, and FEU’s Igno went down the wire. Huala drew first blood and won both first sets, 12-10 and 11-7. Although Huala was poised for the win, his opponent Igno would rally and win the last three sets to steal the match from the Bulldogs. Down 0-1, J.R Misal, would make sure that a comeback was possible for the Bulldogs. He would limit FEU’s Dalut to win just one set. The combo of Carrasco and Ramirez would bow down to FEU’s Caballero and Villanueva in the doubles match. Carrasco and Ramirez would rally in the end to try and extend the series, but would fall short losing the 3rd set 14-12.
NU vs UP (2-5)
The Bulldogs ended their 1st round campaign against the University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons. The singles competitors, C.J Carrasco and J.R. Misal gave their all in their bout against their UP counterparts. Both competitors forced a 5th and deciding set to try and grab their respective matches. In the end, it was not enough against the Maroons as they both fall, 2-3. The doubles match, on the one hand would be a one sided affair for the Maroons, E. Manuel and R. Terante was not able to get a single set over their counterparts.
