Pulling a conference-high 27 points from National Team standout Bryan Bagunas, the National University Bulldogs stumbled for a set but still dominated the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons 25-13, 24-26, 25-15, 25-17, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The fourth year open hitter Bagunas was a staggering 20-for-36 on spiking while serving four aces and scoring on two blocks.
Despite dropping the second set, NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin saw promising positives from his wards’ game.
“Nakapag-execute naman kami kanina. Siguro, talagang pangit ang simula namin noong second set kaya natuluyan kami. Pero, noong ibang set, maganda talaga nilaro nila. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said the two-time UAAP champion head coach.
Madz Gampong hopped off the bench for NU and provided 15 points. NU built their huge leads through blocking, scoring 14 points off kill blocks while UP had just three.
The Bulldogs improved to a 3-2 record before their highly-anticipated match against defending champions Ateneo (6-0) on September 30.
Wendel Miguel led the Maroons with 17 points while Mark Millete added 11.
UP (1-4) faces FEU (4-1) on September 25.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 27, Gampong 15, Natividad 11, Malabunga 9, Saura 7, Daymil 3, Dayandante 1, Modero 1, Ancheta 0, Ismail 0, Marcos (L)
UP (1) – Miguel 17, Millete 11, San Pascual 7, San Pedro 6, Gohoc 3, Consuel 1, Acuna 0, Baldelovar 0, Nasol (L)
