Continuing his dominance, UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Finals MVP Bryan Bagunas vaulted the National University Bulldogs past erstwhile-unbeaten Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bagunas broke the 20-point barrier for the third consecutive match, spotting 24 points on the Falcons, built on 19 attacks and five blocks. Third-year winger James Natividad provided 11 markers.
The Bulldogs dominated the Falcons at the net, piling up 13 blocks while building a 40-23 difference in spikes.
National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin credited their improved play to their focus on passing.
“Naging effective ‘yung receive and floor defense namin kanina so mas naging madali sa amin pumuntos pati basahin ‘yung kalaban,” said Alinsunurin as the Bulldogs managed an efficient 37-for-53 reception clip.
“Si Bagunas din alam naming magi-istep up siya. Alam niya ‘yung role niya sa team and nagagawa naman niya talaga ‘yun,” he added.
Lefty winger George Labang was the lone Falcon in double-digits with 11 points. Adamson leading scorer Pao Pablico was limited to five points.
Both teams play their next matches at the FilOil Flying V Centre. NU (3-1) takes on University of Santo Tomas (2-2) on Saturday while Adamson (3-1) faces Far Eastern University (4-0) on Sunday.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 24, Natividad 11, Almendras 9, Saura 6, Malabunga 3, Mondero 2, Gampong 1, Ancheta 0, Retamar 0, Marcos (L)
AdU (0) – Labang 11, Miranda 7, Pablico 5, Alvarez 3, Bello 2, Alicando 1, Nuguid 1, Amburgo 0, Jimenez 0, Valdez (L)
