“Five-peat” seeking National University overcame a tough challenge from Ateneo de Manila University, grinding out a hard-fought 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27 victory to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Bulldogs clawed back from a four-point deficit in the third set, seizing control and carrying that momentum into the fourth to finally subdue the resilient Blue Eagles.
With this win, NU extended its dominance over Ateneo, securing its 10th consecutive victory against the Blue Eagles — a streak dating back to their four-set triumph on April 15, 2018, in Season 80.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 in the young season, while the Blue Eagles, under new head coach Vince Mangulaban, dropped to a 1-1 record.
Mangulaban, a former UAAP champion, played as a setter for NU during his collegiate career.
“Thankful ako sa naging performance namin kahit ganito. Sa akin kasi, yung ginawa ng Ateneo sa amin, talagang trinabaho nila kung ano naging game plan nila,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kami talaga yung pinipilit makuha rhythm namin. Buti na lang nung latter sets, nakuha na namin. Importante lang is kung ano nagiging challenges ngayon, kailangan natin matuto.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo started strong in the fourth set, building a 14-11 lead. However, NU responded with a decisive 7-1 surge to take an 18-15 advantage.
The Blue Eagles mounted a last-ditch comeback, with Ken Batas scoring off the block and a crucial service error from NU’s Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba leveling the score at 24-all.
Deadlocked at 27-all, the Bulldogs found their finishing touch as Leo Ordiales drilled a down-the-line hit. A backrow attack error from Batas then sealed NU’s second straight victory of the season.
Earlier, Ateneo had a commanding 24-20 lead in the third set, but NU refused to back down. Mukaba, Jan Abanilla, and Peng Taguibolos combined forces in a stunning 7-1 rally, flipping the set in NU’s favor and giving them a crucial 2-1 advantage.
After dropping the opening frame, the Bulldogs bounced back with a narrow 26-24 win in the second set, capped by a Leo Ordiales crosscourt kill and a crucial block from Mukaba.
Despite Ateneo holding the edge in attacks (45-39) and service aces (9-4), NU’s dominance at the net proved decisive, as the Bulldogs out-blocked the Blue Eagles 18-11 to secure the victory.
Ordiales led NU with 14 points built on 13 attacks, while Taguibolos had a breakout performance with 13 points, including seven attacks and a game-high six blocks.
Mukaba finished with 10 points, tallying four blocks, four aces, and two attacks, while last season’s Rookie of the Year Jade Disquitado contributed seven points in his Season 87 debut.
Greg Ancheta orchestrated NU’s offense with 18 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos anchored the team’s defense with 18 excellent receptions and four digs.
NU will next face Far Eastern University on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Ateneo, Batas spearheaded the attack with 21 points — all from attacks — while also recording 21 excellent receptions and three digs. Jian Salarzon and Lance de Castro added 12 points each, with de Castro also tallying eight excellent digs.
Enzo Guttierez dished out 19 excellent sets while contributing five points of his own.
Ateneo will look to bounce back against its Katipunan rival, the University of the Philippines, on the same date and venue.
