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NU Bulldogs halt streaking Ateneo, extend win run to 8


Withstanding a fourth set collapse, the National University Bulldogs survived arch-rivals Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 25-27, 15-10, and earn their eighth consecutive win of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

National University were at match point, 24-22, when an error and a clutch transition kill from Janjan Rivera allowed Ateneo to force a deuce. NU’s errors cost them again down the stretch, as their attack error followed by a Lawrence Magadia block sent the match to a decider.

In the final frame, the Bulldogs solved their loose hands on miscues. NU turned an 8-7 lead to a massive 12-8 advantage thanks to kills from JM Natividad and Bryan Bagunas. Ateneo tried to rally back, but NU’s offense was unstoppable as Kim Malabunga capped the match with a massive quick kill.

“Naging problema talaga ‘yung errors namin. Noong lumaban ‘yung Ateneo, ‘di rin kami agad naka-respond,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“Good thing noong fifth set, mas naka-execute kami sa receive, sa atake. Kailangan maging consistent kami sa ganoon para ma-maintain namin ‘yung standing namin,” the national team head coach added.

Bagunas topped the Bulldogs with 25 points on 24-for-46 attacking. Rookie Nico Almendras and veteran JM Natividad added 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Chu Njigha led Ateneo with 18 points, while Tony Koyfman managed 15.

NU (9-1) next face the De La Salle University Spikers (3-6) on Sunday. Meanwhile, Ateneo (6-4) take on the University of the Philippines Maroons (1-8) on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.


The Scores

#ReadMore  PVL: Molde, Rondina connive as Choco Mucho eliminates F2 in 4, regains share of 2nd

NU (3) – Bagunas 25, Almendras 18, Natividad 17, Malabunga 10, Saura 8, Retamar 1, Ancheta 0, Gampong 0, Marcos (L)

ADMU (2) – Njigha 18, Koyfman 15, Medalla 13, Rivera 10, Glorioso 8, Magadia 3, Aguilar 0, Cuerva 0, Morado 0, Sumanguid (L)

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.




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