UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Finals MVP Bryan Bagunas may have seen his string of 20-point outings come to a close, but the National University Bulldogs picked up their fourth straight win of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament, decisively sweeping the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Bulldogs had relied on graduating winger Bagunas for most of their offense through their last three matches. Against UST, three Bulldogs scored in double-digits.
According to National University head coach Dante Alinsunurin, his team needed to be balanced offensively to attack UST’s defense effectively.
“Siyempre, naka-focus talaga ‘yung ibang teams kay Bryan kaya kailangan talaga mag-adjust para maging effective,” said Alinsunurin.
“May mga rookie kami sa team na paunti-unti nang nakaka-adjust sa paglalaro sa UAAP. May ii-improve pa talaga ‘yung chemistry ng team,” the national team head coach added.
Bagunas still topped all scorers with 14 points, all off spikes. Rookie open hitter Nico Almendras dropped 12 points while captain Francis Saura added 10.
Joshua Umandal led UST with 13 points. Middle blocker Jayvee Sumagaysay and winger Manuel Medina each managed eight markers.
The Bulldogs (4-1) take on University of the Philippines (0-4) on Wednesday while UST (3-3) faces University of the East (1-5) on Saturday. Both matches will be played at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 14, Almendras 12, Saura 10, Malabunga 9, Natividad 6, Retamar 1, Ancheta 0, Gampong 0, Marcos (L)
UST (0) – Umandal 13, Medina 8, Sumagaysay 8, Requinton 4, Corda 3, Buro 1, Valenzuela 1, Tajanlangit J. 0, Tajanlangit T. 0, Mendiolla (L), Sawal (L)
