National University fended off University of Santo Tomas to claim the bronze medal in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge Men’s Division with a thrilling 25-19, 34-32, 31-29 victory on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
The Bulldogs mounted a monumental comeback in the third set after trailing 10-16, ultimately closing out the match in an intense hour and 42 minutes.
NU captain Leo Aringo came out on top in his head-to-head battle with UST’s Jan Macam during the third-set tug-of-war, giving his team the crucial advantage.
Two consecutive errors from UST — one from Macam and another from an attack line fault by GBoy De Vega — sealed the win and the bronze for the Bulldogs.
“At least nakita namin yung mga players namin na kayang mag-perform. Hindi na mahihirapan si coach Dante [Alinsunurin] ‘pag balik niya kung sino ‘yung gagamitin. Lahat naman ‘to is preparation namin for UAAP,” said NU assistant coach Dong Dela Cruz.
NU showed the same composure in the second set after taking the first with relative ease. The Golden Spikers stayed competitive following their opening set loss, but their momentum took a hit when ace middle blocker Popoy Colinares went down in the middle of the second set.
Despite the setback, Macam, De Vega, and Sherwin Umandal tried to carry UST, but Aringo and Jan Abanilla teamed up to take the tight second set, giving NU a crucial 2-0 lead.
Aringo led all scorers with 17 points, all from attacks, while Abanilla contributed 11 points, including nine kills and two blocks.
However, it was the timely kills from middle blocker Obed Mukaba, particularly in the third set, that created separation for the reigning UAAP champions. Mukaba finished with 13 points from nine spikes and four blocks.
For UST, incoming rookie Macam led the Golden Spikers with 14 points, all from attacks, while Umandal and De Vega added 10 and seven points, respectively.
