National University ushered in a new era in dominant fashion, overpowering De La Salle University with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory to kick off its five-peat bid in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite the departures of key players Nico Almendras and Joshua Retamar — both instrumental in NU’s four-peat run — the Bulldogs leaned on their core holdovers, including Alas Pilipinas spiker Buds Buddin and team captain Leo Aringo, to take down the Green Spikers in straight sets.
NU also capitalized on the absence of La Salle’s top hitter, Vince Maglinao, securing a convincing sweep against a still-stacked Green Spikers squad featuring Noel Kampton, Eco Adajar, and Nat del Pilar.
“Thankful ako sa naging resulta ng panalo namin kasi lahat ng gusto namin mangyari sa loob ng court, nagawa namin. Yung mga adjustment na pwede namin gawin, naka-adjust agad kami,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Sobrang thankful din ako sa performance ng players ko kasi team effort talaga. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ito.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Aringo delivered back-to-back crosscourt kills to punctuate NU’s 6-1 run in the third set, turning a slim 10-8 lead into a comfortable 16-9 cushion.
Timely hits from Jan Abanilla, Leo Ordiales, Buddin, and Aringo sealed the win, making NU the first team to record a sweep in the men’s division this season.
The Bulldogs asserted their dominance in the attack department, outgunning La Salle 20-11 in the second set to establish a commanding 2-0 advantage.
La Salle showed resilience in the opening frame, clawing back from an 18-10 deficit to close in at 21-18. However, clutch plays from Peng Taguibolos and Aringo secured the first set for NU.
NU’s relentless offense overwhelmed the Green Spikers, tallying 54 total attacks in the 1-hour, 14-minute victory compared to La Salle’s 30.
Aringo led the charge with 20 points on 19 attacks and one block while adding 15 excellent receptions. Buddin contributed 18 points, built on 17 attacks and one block, along with 13 excellent digs.
Ordiales made an immediate impact in his UAAP debut, scoring nine points and recording three excellent digs, while Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba added six points, including four attacks and two blocks.
In his first start as NU’s primary setter, Ancheta stepped up with 14 excellent sets and one point in the post-Retamar era.
NU will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday, February 19, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For La Salle, Uriel Mendoza was the lone Green Spiker to reach double digits, finishing with 10 points, while Kampton added nine points and nine excellent receptions.
The Green Spikers will aim for their first win against Adamson University on Saturday, February 22, at the same San Juan venue.
