Early favorites National University Bulldogs needed to buck slow starts in each set before sweeping the rebuilding Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, in the opening day of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Last season’s runners-up, the Bulldogs struggled to create distance between them and the Falcons. NU even surrendered a late lead and allowed Adamson to creep ahead, 23-22. Open hitter Bryan Bagunas came to NU’s rescue, powering in two clutch plays and guiding his squad to winning the open frame.
National University then struggled to limit their errors in the second set, giving up 10 of their 20 errors in the frame. Trailing 12-16, the Bulldogs then came alive on offense and pounded the Falcons. NU took 13 of the set’s last 16 points.
Holding a 2-0 sets lead, the Bulldogs still struggled to put away Adamson in the third set. Graduating winger Fauzi Ismail changed the tide of set, serving two aces that pushed the Bulldogs ahead 21-18. From there, NU strung together defensive plays and clinched their first win.
“Halos lahat ng momentum ng kalaban nanggaling sa mga errors namin,” lamented NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Marami pa kaming kailangan ayusin talaga. Alam naman ng mga players ko na hindi pa ‘yun ‘yung best nila. Mahaba pa naman ‘yung season. Mailalabas din namin ‘yun,” the enlisted Air Force personnel added.
National Team stalwart Bagunas topped all scorers with 16 points, while Ismail added 10 markers.
Team captain JP Yude led the new-look Falcons with 13 markers while Leo Miranda and Pao Pablico added eight points apiece.
The Bulldogs take on the defending champs Ateneo De Manila University next on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Soaring Falcons try to recover from their early setback against the Far Eastern University on Saturday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 16, Isimail 14, Malabunga 10, Natividad 8, Saura 7, Dayandante 1, Ancheta 0, Mondero 0, Marcos (L)
AdU (0) – Yude 13, Mirando 8, Pablico 8, Bello 5, Labang 5, Amburgo 2, Millares 1, Jimenez 0, Melgar (L)
