Differing Finish: NU Bulldogs enters semis, Lady Bulldogs fails

The National University Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs faced differing scenarios entering the second round. While the Bulldogs were poised to enter the semis, the Lady Bulldogs still had quite a way to go. But once the dust of the second round finally settled, it was clear only one of them would return to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to compete.

Bulldogs

Entering the second round already at 4th, the NU Bulldogs were hopeful of a semi-final place. And despite their roller coaster performance in the second round – mixed results in the first day, poorer ones in the second – they just about made it.

Battling the De La Salle University in their opening game for the second round, the Bulldogs were quickly decimated in a 1-3 defeat. But that did little to stop their fighting spirit as they were quick to make a comeback. Charging against the embattled Ateneo de Manila University Blue Paddlers, the Bulldogs were able to notch their first victory after routing them, 3-0. The victory quickly gave way to a 0-3 defeat against the University of Santo Tomas, followed by a victory against Adamson University to finish the first day.

Though eager to perform well the second day, the NU Bulldogs experienced a slump. Tasting crushing defeats at the hands of the University of the Philippines, University of the East, and Far Eastern University, the NU Bulldogs effectively ended the final day of the elimination round crushed but still in the top 4.

Lady Bulldogs

Entering the tables outside of the final 4, the NU Lady Bulldogs needed plenty of effort to catch up. But despite their best efforts to reach the semi-finals, they ended just shy at fifth place.

The Lady Bulldogs were keen to climb rank, starting the second round strong with an easy win over ADMU through Avegail Rodriguez, the Cyrene Torres and Dawn Gudmalin tandem, and Karein Buendia. But after their opening victory, the NU Lady Bulldogs crashed to consecutive defeats at the hands of FEU, AdU, and DLSU in the first day.

The slump would continue to the second day as the NU Lady Bulldogs were still unable to recover. First falling to UP and UST, the Lady Bulldogs only recovered form in their match against UE. But it was only enough to get them up one rank to fifth place.