The NU Bulldogs played their best game of the second round after thrashing the Adamson Falcons in four sets, 26-28, 25-17, 25-17, 25-21, at the San Juan Arena.
After a tumultuous transition into the second round- losing three consecutive games- the Bulldogs have finally regained their winning touch with their third convincing win. NU’s championship-level blocking pulled them to their 10th win of the season, out-blocking the Falcons 14-5. NU’s blocking also forced the Falcons into multiple attacking errors with Adamson finishing the game with a total of 30 errors.
NU’s championship core bombarded the Adamson lineup. Edwin Tolentino led the Bulldogs in scoring with 19 markers while fellow graduating veterans Peter Torres and Berlin Paglinawan both pitched in 16 points. Ruben Baysac and Ben Inaudito both put in nine points.
Adamson’s Bryan Saraza led all scorers with 20 markers while team captain Michael Sudaria and Robb Sarmiento each notched 14 markers in their fourth loss of the season.
The win firmly puts the Bulldogs third in the Final Four via quotient. NU now has to face the UST Tigers who hold a twice-to-beat advantage and the UAAP’s most explosive scorer in Mark Alfafara. The Falcons will face the no. 1 seed, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The scores:
NU – Tolentino 19, Paglinawan 16, Torres 16, Inaudito 9, Baysac 9, Mangulabnan 2, Tipay (L), Dizon (L)
AdU – Saraza 20, Sudaria 14, Sarmiento 14, Pletado 7, David 2, Ramirez 1, Pablico 1, Mallapre 0, Melgar (L)
