Having leaders Nico Almendras and Joshua Retamar is a luxury that Finals-bound National University has, and it was proven again on Saturday.
In their final hurdle of the elimination round to gain an outright Finals spot in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament, the Bulldogs encountered heavy opposition from Ateneo de Manila University.
NU started on fire, leaving the Blue Eagles in the first set, 25-11, but the latter regained their form in the ensuing frame.
Ken Batas, who erupted for 32 points, led Ateneo’s second-period charge before faltering, giving up a close 28-26 count.
Then the Blue Eagles just elevated their game in the third, routing the Bulldogs to extend the match, 25-16.
But the back-to-back defending champions showed their calmness under pressure to complete the 14-game sweep, 25-11, 28-26, 16-25, 25-23.
“Sinasabi lang namin ni Owa pag timeout, pagbalik namin sa court na magfocus kami, kalimutan na kung ano yung nangyari. Kung naka-set man yung kalaban o ano, ang mahalaga nakafocus pa rin kami, makabalik kami,” Almendras shared on what they do when they feel the team’s morale is down.
“Kapag mga ganong sitwasyon parang syempre nakakadismaya diba na sana straight sets na namin pero pagdating doon, natural naman na nangyayari sa game yun so sinasabi ko lang sa kanila, simula ulit, strong start ulit tayo para kapag nakalayo tayo, imbis na magkaroon tayo ng error, makakabawi agad at mas mabilis maka-adjust,” followed Retamar.
To have Almendras and Retamar barking out motivation inside the court during the game, head coach Dante Alinsunurin could not ask for more.
In their usual starters, only the two and Kennry Malinis are not rookies. Michaelo Buddin, Gerard Diao, Obed Mukaba, and libero Mano Sumagui are all in their first year of action.
“Sobrang swerte ko sa sitwasyon ngayon kasi anytime na may mga struggles kami, sila kaagad yung nagkukusa na mag-lead sa loob ng court,” said Alinsunurin.
“Every time na may mga problema kami or meron kaming mga adjustment na kailangan, maganda sa kanila nagkukusa na sila sa kung anong nagiging problema,” added the decorated tactician.
The Bulldogs will now wait to see which team will come out of the stepladder semifinals that will face them in a best-of-three affair for the championship.
University of Santo Tomas is already assured of the second seed, while Far Eastern University, De La Salle University, and Ateneo de Manila University are still battling it out for the final two semis tickets.
