For three consecutive years, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles lorded over the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals.
For three consecutive years, the Bulldogs were too young and inexperienced to withstand the greatness and poise of the Blue Eagles and their luminary leader Marck Espejo.
In Season 80, the Bulldogs sought to change the narrative. Ateneo had lost three starters and were, compared to NU, much younger.
Round two of the elimination round saw NU’s first triumph over the Blue Eagles since Season 76. Meeting in the Finals, the Bulldogs ended Ateneo’s undefeated streak in the championship round with an emphatic sweep.
With their perennial tormentors Espejo and Ish Polvorosa possibly playing their final UAAP match in Game Two, coach Dante Alinsunurin and the NU Bulldogs wanted to give the pair a fitting exit.
“Kung limang taon siyang MVP (Espejo), sabi nga ng mga players ko na patikiman naman natin sila ng mapait para ‘yung last exit niya memorable talaga.”
In Game Two, the Bulldogs fittingly staved off an assault from Polvorosa and Espejo, which culminated in a classic fourth set deuce. After firing in thunderous hits, Espejo was blocked by three Bulldogs to put NU at championship point. In a bitter twist, Espejo was not involved in the final point of his game, as Ron Medalla swung long for the season’s last point.
“Ang sinabi ko, ito na ‘yung chance natin ngayon, chance natin na makuha ‘yung kampeonato kasi sa tao-tao, lamang na tayo, tapos ‘yung kalaban natin galing sa best-of-3 na semifinals, kaya sobrang ‘yung kundisyo nila medyo bumaba, kaya sabi namin na kaya namin kahit anong situwasyon,” reflected Alinsunurin.
“Kasi nakita namin na kahit lumalamang sila, naabutan naman namin. Siguro talagang para sa amin talaga itong championship na ito.”
With a several blue chip recruits coming in to fortify NU’s already intact core, Alinsunurin is looking to establish another NU dynasty.
“Siguradong lahat ng team nakatingin na sa amin. Kaya siguro kami, talagang pag-iisipan namin kung paano namin madadala ang team hanggang sa Finals ulit next year.”
