National U sets up Finals rematch with Ateneo

National University Bulldogs have successfully made their wat into the Spiker’s Turf 2nd Collegiate Conference Finals after drubbing University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in straight sets fashion, 25-19, 25-18, and 25-21, Monday afternoon at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Madzlan Gampong had an excellent showing for NU, leading all scorers with 21 points off 15 attacks.

The Bulldogs displayed might in the offensive side of the floor, coasting to an eight-point, 20-12 lead from a 9-all knot in the opening set. A handful of errors stalled their rhythm and allowed the Growling Tigers to catch up, 21-18, but errors this time on the Tigers’ side aided NU to go up by a set, 25-19.

National U bucked a slow start in the next frame, turning a slim 8-7 deficit in their favor, 16-13. With their quick attacks on offense and with their effective blockings on the net, NU never allowed the Thomasians any glimmer of hope in mounting a comeback and sent down the latter to a 0-2 hole, 25-18.

The Growling Tigers started well in the third canto, 9-4, but the Bulldogs regained their grasp on both ends and snatched the lead, 19-16. UST, however, kept it close this time and inched within two, 21-19, but costly errors in their part paved the way for NU to reign victorious in straight sets, 25-21.

“Masarap sa feeling,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin post-match. “Kasi nagawa namin yung gusto namin mangyari this season.”

Arnold Bautista and Manuel Medina paced the young Tiger Spikers with 10 markers apiece.

“Pipilitin naming manalo. Sana maganda gising ng mga bata para makapanalo kahit isang set,” Alinsunurin remarked about facing rivals Ateneo once again.

It will be a best-of-three showdown between NU and Ateneo in the Spikers’ Turf Finals. The series will be a rematch of last year’s inaugural Spikers Turf Collegiate Conference finals and, as well as, the past three UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals.

The Scores:

NU (3) – Gampong 21, Ismail 9, Bagunas 6, Saura 5, Malabunga 4, Dayandante 2, Baysac 2, Natividad 1, Marcos (L), Sumagui (L).

UST (0) – Bautista 10, Medina 10, Umandal 4, Buro 3, Tajanlangit 2, Sumagaysay 1, Amagan 0, Francisco 0, Jose 0, Sawal (L), Tajanlangit (L).