Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Bryan Bagunas, NU Bulldogs cruise past UE for 8th straight win


UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Finals MVP Bryan Bagunas continued to build his case as Season 81 MVP, propelling the National University Bulldogs to their eighth consecutive win at the University of the East Red Warriors’ expense, 25-7, 25-21, 25-15, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

NU’s graduating ace piled up 22 points on an efficient 15-for-22 attacking clip to go with four aces and three blocks. In the midst of his best individual statistical year, Bagunas was glad his success was translating to wins for the defending champions.

“Maganda nga ‘yung nilalaro ko this year, pero mas masaya ako kasi tuloy-tuloy ‘yung panalo namin and, every game, gumaganda ‘yung nilalaro namin,” said the league’s leading scorer. “Ang goal naman talaga is makakuha ng championship. Malayo pa kami doon kaya kailangan focus lang kami sa bawat game.”

The Bulldogs dominated the Red Warriors in every scoring skill, tallying a 39-17 advantage in spikes, 14-3 in blocks, and 9-3 in aces.

Rookie Nico Almendras added 11 points for NU, while James Natividad added eight.

Clifford Inoferio topped the Red Warriors with six points. Noel Alba and Al-Jhon Abalon each provided five.

NU (8-1) take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (6-3) on Saturday. On the other hand, UE (2-7) face the De La Salle University Spikers (3-6) on Sunday. Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.


The Scores

NU (3) – Bagunas 22, Almendras 11, Natividad 8, Saura 7, Malabunga 6, Gampong 5, Retamar 2, Daymil 1, Ancheta 0, Mondero 0, Ponti 0, Marcos (L)

#ReadMore  Babes Castillo proud of Lady Bulldogs after character-building victory

UE (0) – Inoferio 6, Abalon 5, Alba 5, Josafat 4, Ortega 2, Reyes 1, Adriano 0, Bonoan 0, Imperial A. 0, Imperial R. 0, Medina (L), Solis (L)

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.


You May Also Like

2025 FIVB World Men’s Championship

UAAP Most Valuable Players Kennedy Batas of Ateneo de Manila University and Josh Ybañez of the University of Santo Tomas led a strong cast...

News

In the biggest game of the season, Buds Buddin had every reason to sit out. Still nursing a right ankle sprain that had sidelined...

News

On a stage built for legacies, it was two up-and-coming faces who lit the path to glory. National University proved its dynasty runs deeper...

News

Playmaking was the biggest concern for National University in its quest for a five-peat entering the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, after star...

FEU

If there was ever a moment that confirmed the rise of Philippine men’s volleyball, it happened on a Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall...

News

Dante Alinsunurin found an unlikely source of renewed motivation in one of the most painful challenges life threw at him. That grief, transformed into...

News

With the scoreboard flashing championship glory and confetti raining down the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Leo Aringo stood at center court — not...

News

Leo Aringo was National University’s rock in one of its toughest Finals series to date. For his efforts in keeping the team together despite...

Advertisement