There was an interested spectator at the lower box area of the SM Mall of Asia Arena when National University (NU) ransacked University of the East in straight sets on Saturday.
NU legend Bryan Bagunas watched the Bulldogs live for the first time this season as he is back in the country to prepare for his wedding.
To see his alma mater atop the standings and at the top of its game, Bagunas could not help but feel proud.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud kasi sabi ko sa kanila. Minemessage ko yung iba na try nila i-sweep, lalo na sa mga graduating,” said the international journeyman, who has played in different countries as an import, most recently in Taiwan, leading WinStreak to the Top Volleyball League title.
“‘Yun yung history na maibibigay nila sa NU, ‘yun yung maisusukli nila sa NU bilang isang student-athlete. Suklian nila ng ganon malaking bagay, na rin yun kasi ‘yun nga, magchampion syempre.”
The Bulldogs are currently 12-0 and are two games away from an elimination round sweep that will allow them to advance straight to the best-of-three Finals.
Back in Season 81, the last full edition of the men’s division, then-graduating Bagunas powered NU to the championship. He also bagged the Season and Finals MVP.
After losing their first game in Season 81, Bagunas and the Bulldogs blitzed through the competition, winning 16 straight matches en route to the crown.
NU then won its first two games in Season 82 before COVID-19 happened, and with its current record, they have now won 30 straight games.
Meanwhile, having Bagunas in the stands means a lot to the current crop of Bulldogs and head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Sobrang thankful kami kay Bryan kasi kahit papaano nandiyan siya para sumuporta sa amin. Sana huwag siya magsawang sumuporta lagi sa NU kahit na kung saan man siya nakakarating ngayon. Huwag niya kalimutan yung pinanggalingang school,” said Alinsunurin, who handled the 6-foot-5 spiker in NU and the national team.
“Thank you kasi sinusuportahan niya pa rin kami, at alam namin kung ano yung gusto niyang marating namin kaya pinapakita lang namin sa kanya kung ano yung iniwan niya,” added current captain Joshua Retamar.
Standing in the way of the elimination sweep-gunning NU are the University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University.
