National University executed flawlessly in clutch moments to down Ateneo de Manila University in three tight sets, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
The Bulldogs have now won three straight games after a loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, improving their record to 5-1 and claiming solo second place.
“This situation naman malaking tulong sa amin, ‘yung ganitong dikit na laban mas makakatulong sa team lalo na pagdating sa second round at sa playoffs. Para sa amin, mas magkakumpiyansa kami sa mga ganitong sitwasyon na crucial stage; nakukuha namin ang puntos,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
While the Blue Eagles stayed close in all three sets, the Bulldogs’ championship experience showed as they closed out the match in one hour and 26 minutes.
Tied at 23 in the second set, NU’s Alas Pilipinas members Jade Disquitado and Michaelo Buddin took charge, hitting back-to-back kills to secure a 2-0 set advantage.
In the third set, the Bulldogs pulled away from a 15-all tie with an 8-3 run sparked by middle blockers Obed Mukaba and Peng Taguibolos, before holding off a late Blue Eagles rally.
Disquitado led NU with 16 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Buddin added 12 points, five digs, and five receptions.
Leo Ordiales contributed 11 points, and Mukaba produced five of NU’s nine blocks plus three spikes for a total of eight points. Greg Ancheta distributed 20 excellent sets.
NU will close the first round next Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena against De La Salle University.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
For Ateneo, reigning MVP Kennedy Batas scored 13 points—the only Blue Eagle in double digits—along with 10 excellent receptions, as the team suffered a second consecutive loss, falling to 2-4 and fifth place. Enzo Gutierrez contributed 10 excellent sets, while libero Lance de Castro collected nine digs.
Ateneo will aim to finish the first round with a win on Saturday at the Pasay venue against a struggling University of the East.
