The defending UAAP champions NU Bulldogs exhibited another quick straight-set victory, this time against the La Salle Green Archers 25-16, 25-21, 25-19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
From the get go, Ben Inaudito and Fauzi Ismail dealt La Salle early offense to bury the Green Spikers. NU cruised in the early goings as setter Vince Mangulabnan varied his sets to their spikers that left La Salle dazzled.
Looking for a counter, La Salle managed to hold on to the second set lead but lost their grip in the latter part. Peter Torres led the scoring in the closing part of the set as La Salle seemed rattled against the more experienced NU squad.
Poised to finish the game at ease, NU built an early 13-5 start in the third set to tighten up their confidence and deny any chance of an Archer comeback. Errors knocked the Green Spikers’ chances of clawing back as Inaudito provided the finishing spikes to seal the Bulldogs’ third consecutive victory.
With this win, the NU Bulldogs improve to an unblemised 3-0 start to the season while the Green Archers drop to the cellar with an 0-2 start.
NU attacked more, 42-25 and had three more points from service aces, 4-1. Mangulabnan had a productive field day setting his teammates, making 29 successful sets.
The Bulldogs look to continue their streak on Dec. 6, Saturday at San Juan Arena against the UST Tiger Spikers, in a match of two unbeaten squads. As for La Salle, they continue to seek their first win of the tournament against UE on Dec. 3, Wednesday still at the San Juan Arena.
The scores:
NU- Ismail 16, Inaudito 11, Torres 9, Tolentino 8, Baysac 4, Bagunas 2, Mangulabnan 1, Saura 1, Malabunga 1, Tipay(L) 0
DLSU- Onia 11, Calderon 7, Frey 5, Del Pilar 5, Santos 3, Relcopen 2, Cristensen 2, Calasin 1, Dimayuga 0, Asia 0, Movido(L) 0, Dizon(L) 0
