Continuing their incredible roll into the Final Four, the National University Bulldogs made short work of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-19, 25-16, 25-20, and booked their seat in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Finals, 25-19, 25-16, 25-20, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU also won their 14th straight match after losing on opening weekend to the Tamaraws.
The Bulldogs dominated the Falcons each set, taking the lead early and never looking back.
By the third set, NU hijacked all the momentum after grabbing a 22-14 lead and piling up six blocks in that set alone.
NU finished with 16 blocks, while Adamson had just six. The Falcons were also limited to just 25 spike kills.
NU middle blocker Kim Malabunga led all scorers with 17 points off eight attacks, eight blocks, and an ace. Meanwhile, Bryan Bagunas, the season’s best scorer, had a season-low nine markers.
The Bulldogs are gunning for their fourth title. With Bagunas, Malabunga, captain Francis Saura and Madz Gampong all playing in their final year, NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin knows the importance of closing this era with back-to-back titles.
“Sobrang crucial kasi ito ‘yung last na naman eh. Last batch na naman na alam kong buo yung core ko eh. Sana makuha namin itong Finals na ito para pagdating ng next year, meron kaming baon,” he said.
“Importante kasi pag nagsimula ang isang team, dapat meron kaming inaalagaan. Kasi mahirap naman na hindi namin makuha ‘tong Finals tapos mag-start kami ng panibago. Basta kahit anong mangyari, gagawin namin ng team na makuha ‘yung championship ulit ngayon,” the national team head coach added.
Leo Miranda topped the Falcons with 11 points.
In their final outing in the UAAP, captain Pao Pablico managed six points, while Mark Alvarez tallied one marker.
The Bulldogs enter their seventh consecutive UAAP Finals where they face the FEU Tamaraws, the squad they took down for their first title in Season 75. Game One of the best-of-three series will be on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores
NU (3) – Malabunga 17, Bagunas 9, Almendras 7, Saura 7, Natividad 6, Retamar 2, Gampong 1, Ancheta 0, Marcos (L)
AdU (0) – Miranda 11, Pablico 6, Jimenez 3, Labang 3, Alicando 1, Alvarez 1, Gudoy 1, Amburgo 0, Nuguid 0, Valdez (L)
