Coming off a rousing second-place finish in the Men’s Open Conference, the in-form National University Bulldogs quickly dispatched the San Beda College Red Spikers in less than hour, notching a 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 sweep, Sunday morning.
The Bulldogs join the De La Salle University Green Spikers and the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers as victors on opening weekend.
And it was a demolition all throughout, with Fauzi Ismail and James Natividad leading the way. Senior Ismail tallied 17 markers on 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while the third-year Natividad added 16 points on 10 attacks, five thunderous blocks, and an ace.
The game was never in doubt, as the National University raced to early leads in all three sets with the Bulldogs attacking on all fronts. NU scored 40 of their points from attacks, while their net defense was on point, notching a total of 11 from kill blocks. In addition, San Beda’s reception failed them as last season’s runners-up tallied 11 aces.
Kim Malabunga and Madz Gampong added eight markers each, while Kim Dayandante tossed 30 excellent sets.
The Red Spikers were without new head coach Nes Pamilar, as he is confined in the Philippine Heart Center after suffering a mild heart attack.
Adrian Viray paced San Beda with nine points, while the debuting Jomaru Amagan, formerly from the UST Tiger Spikers program, added seven markers.
The National University look to make it two in a row when they face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday, September 6, at 10:00am. San Beda, on the other hand, take on age-old rivals Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles on the same day at 8:00am.
The Scores:
NU (3) – Ismail 17, Natividad 16, Malabunga 8, Gampong 8, Saura 5, Dayandante 3, Ogoc 1, Ancheta 0, Daymil 0, Marcos (L).
SBC (0) – Viray 9, Amagan 7, Enciso 7, Santos 7, Patenio 3, Zabala 2, Torres 1, Genobaten 0, Desuyo 0, Manliclic 0, Ulibas 0, Casin (L).
