For the fourth straight season, the National University Bulldogs have reached the pinnacle of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball tournament. However, for the second season in a row, the team again bowed out to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
Instead of being somber and regretful, the young Bulldogs were full of hope, as the best has yet to come for them.
Coming into Season 78, the National University’s Men’s Volleyball team had lost the six veterans; the core of their two championship seasons.
Even in losing championship-experience this season, the team gained length and youthful exuberance that hastened the team’s rebuilding. Sophomores Bryan Bagunas, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, and Madz Gampong absorbed heavier roles on the team. In addition, rookies James Natividad and Ricky Marcos had to immediately fill gaps in the starting lineup.
It turned out, these young Bulldogs were much more overwhelmingly athletic than their predecessors. With five players standing at least 6’0”, National U continued their reign as the premier blocking team in the league.
As physically imposing as they were, the Bulldogs had problems with some of volleyball’s finer skills – digging and passing. Also, with Vince Mangulabnan and Ruben Baysac as the only players with significant experience, the Bulldogs often cracked in pressure-packed situations.
Still, the Bulldogs managed a second seed in the Final Four and, by the skin of their teeth, scraped past the veteran Adamson University Falcons to reach the Finals.
Throughout the season, head coach Dante Alinsunurin used their matches against the defending champs Ateneo Blue Eagles as a barometer of their progress. Ateneo had the experience his team sorely lacked and were rebuffed by three-time MVP Marck Espejo.
As much as he wanted to win, Alinsunurin knew his team still have much to learn before really giving Ateneo a real challenge.
“Sabi ko nga bago kami magsimula (ang Finals), may chance kami (mag-champion). Talagang hindi lang namin nakapitan. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, sa mga nangyari na ‘to, napakataas na nang achievement namin. Hindi natin aakalain na ganito pa yung position natin – tayo pa yung lumaban ng championship,” Alinsunurin reflected.
Perhaps the best part of this season was the absence of internal drama.
Although they continually brought the Bulldogs to the Finals, NU’s past veterans could not go a season without brewing an internal strife. As Alinsunurin puts it, this year’s young Bulldogs have no such fangs.
“Kapag tumubo, bubunutin ko agad,” Alinsunurin quipped.
Most of their problems this season involved injuries. The perennially “unlucky” Bryan Bagunas has dealt with myriad lower extremity pains, while Vince Mangulabnan had damaged his elbow prior to the season. Everyone else played through minor injuries caused by the grinding season.
“Mga bata pa yung mga yan tapos isa lang yung nagdadala talaga (Vince Mangulabnan). Minsan nagkaka-injury pa yung mga player. Mabuti na lang nagagamot-gamot namin,” Alinsunurin said.
The Bulldogs had also been without the high-flying Fauzi Ismail. He was supposed to take the lead, not only during the indoor competition, but also on the sand courts. Alinsunurin vows to keep a close eye on Ismail and slowly reintegrate him back to the lineup. Once Ismail’s back, he will sort through the team’s incredibly deep lineup.
“Siguradong babawi kami (next year). Siguradong sasakit yung ulo ko kasi marami ng mag-thithird year sa kanila. Hindi ko alam kung paanong paikot yung gagawin ko sa kanila, pero sigurado din na setter yung puproblemahin ko,” Alinsunurin said referring to the only player graduating player from his lineup, Vince Mangulabnan.
Rather than the usual dreadful demeanor of losers, the Bulldogs were bubbling with affirmation. In their first season in the lead, National U’s young core sustained their program’s outstanding reputation.
Season 78 was not about winning the title; it was about building towards winning the Season 79, Season 80, and Season 81 championships.
