Defending champions National University Bulldogs were all over the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball awardees.
As the league transitioned to position-based awarding, NU graduating winger Bryan Bagunas took home the MVP plum as well as the first Best Outside Hitter, Best Scorer, and Best Server.
“Unang-una, nagpapasalamat ako kay God kasi all throughout the season ginabayan niya kami. Sa managers namin at si sir Hans [Sy], at lalo na sa teammates at family ko, hindi ko makukuha ito,” said Bagunas.
Bagunas recorded 285 points on 53.49-percent efficiency, while averaging 0.47 aces per set.
NU’s blue-chip recruit Nico Almendras was deemed the Rookie of the Year; meanwhile, fourth year, former top rookie JM Natividad was the Best Opposite Hitter.
Almendras tallied 144 points during the elimination round.
NU’s fellow finalists FEU Tamaraws had batchmates Jude Garcia and JP Bugaoan on the list of awardees as second Best Outside Hitter and first Best Middle Blocker, respectively.
Third placer Ateneo had three Blue Eagles honored.
Chumason Njigha claimed the second Best Middle Blocker award; Lawrence Magadia bagged Best Setter; while Manuel Sumanguid earned the Best Libero trophy.
The NU Bulldogs can clinch their second straight UAAP crown as they take on the FEU Tamaraws in Game Two of the Finals later on.
