Following a morale-boosting victory over the Perpetual Altas during opening day, the National University Bulldogs made swift work of the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 25-16, 25-22, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League Men’s Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Madz Gampong finsihed the game with 18 points, built on 16 spikes and two blocks, and eight excellent digs.
Angelo Almendres added 10 points, while hard-hitting Bryan Bagunas only managed five points for NU, which peppered the opposition’s taraflex with 40 spikes in comparison to the Blazers’ 29.
Tied at 18-all midway through the third set, a Bagunas hit incited an 8-4 closing run, capped by an Almendres kill to propel the Bulldogs to a 2-0 record.
Meanwhile, no player cracked into double-digit territory for the Blazers with Vince Abrot leading St. Benilde with nine markers.
Aside from picking up their second victory in as many outings, NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin is glad to have given the second stringers an opportunity to showcase their wares, citing that this game has given them confidence.
“Sobrang malaki [yung nagagawa sa kumpiyansa nila],” he shared. “Medyo nag-iimprove din ‘yung mga nasa labas namin kasi ginagamit na namin, sana magtuloy tuloy na yung kumpiyansa nila.”
The Bulldogs look to extend their streak to three against Arellano Chiefs on Saturday, August 4, at the same venue. While the Blazers will seek to bounce back against UST Growling Tigers on Sunday, August 5, also at the same venue.
The Scores:
NU (3) – Gampong 18, Almendres 10, Bagunas 5, Mondero 4, Malabunga 4, Saura 2, Daymil 2, Dayandante 1, Ponti 0, Retamar 0, Sumagi (L), Marcos (L).
CSB (0) – Abrot 9, Adviento 8, Basilan 6, Bacani 5, De Sequera 4, Almonte 1, Magsino 0, Ugalde 0, Bautista 0, Rojas 0, San Miguel 0, Dumaran (L), Dy (L).
