After suffering shocking defeats to fellow UAAP squads, the National University Bulldogs got back on their feet with a four-set triumph over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 25-21, 17-25, 27-25, 25-23, in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
According to National U head coach Dante Alinsunurin, their past rough patch of games served as a wake-up call for his squad. The runners-up of the past two Collegiate Conferences, the Bulldogs, are looking to finally win a championship.
“Sobrang baba talaga nang nilalaro namin nitong mga nakaraan na linggo. Alam naman nila ‘yun kaya talagang pinipilit namin i-angat ang mga laro namin,” said Alinsunurin, who refused to.make excuses for his team’s poor play. “May goal kami as a team na hindi namin maaabot kung ganito ang ilalaro namin.”
Open hitters Fauzi Ismail and Bryan Bagunas led NU’s offense, scoring 21 and 15 points, respectively. They also provided the crucial points that closed out tight third and fourth sets. National U got the best of UST in each scoring skill, but kept the match close with their whooping 40 errors.
National U now hold a 2-2 record and climbed back up to the fourth seed.
Arnold Bautista and Manuel Medina led the Tiger Spikers with 12 points apiece. UST slid down the standings and out of the semis picture with a 2-3 slate.
The Scores
NU (3) – Ismail 21, Bagunas 15, Natividad 14, Malabunga 12, Saura 9, Dayandante 1, Ancheta 0, Gampong 0, Marcos (L)
UST (1) – Bautista 12, Medina 12, Umandal 11, Sumagaysay 8, Buro 5, Carodan 5, Tajanlangit 1, Casillan 0, Valenzuela 0, Sawal (L)
