Three-peat seeking National University walloped Far Eastern University in three sets, 25-20, 25-20, 25-16, to stay perfect in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Saturday.
The Bulldogs improved to a league-leading 6-0 record, while pulling the Tamaraws down to 5-2 at third.
“Medyo slow start kami nung first set, although nung bandang huli nakabawi kami. Nagawa namin yung kung anong gusto naming gawin sa court,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Congo’s Obed Mukaba played a big role in how the Bulldogs secured the second frame. He hammered a quick kill before blocking Dryx Saavedra to send NU to set point, 24-19. A service error by FEU ended the period, 25-20.
Knotted at 12 in the third, the defending champions pulled away through the efforts of MJ Fortuna, Michaelo Buddin, Nico Almendras, and Gerard Diao, 25-16.
Balanced was the offensive attack planned by setter Joshua Retamar, who tossed 17 excellent sets.
Almendras and Buddin got 11 points apiece while Fortuna added 10 points of his own. Mukaba and Diao also contributed nine and eight points, respectively.
Mark Calado paced the Tamaraws with 19 points, but did not have enough support from his teammates.
FEU’s CJ Cabatac was brought to Cardinal Santos Medical Center after suffering a gruesome right leg injury in the first set.
Bulldogs opposite spiker Kennry Malinis was handed a yellow and red card for unsportsmanlike behavior against University of the Philippines last March 8. He missed the previous match on Wednesday, hence, the punishment was being pushed to Saturday.
NU will go for the first-round sweep on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena against De La Salle University.
Watch the game live on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days) or you can watch your favorite match-ups.
