Titlteholder National University ended the first round with six straight wins following a 25-20, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21 conquest of De La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Leo Aringo had 20 points on 18-of-38 attacks and had two blocks while Jade Disquitado added 19 points and 13 receptions for the Bulldogs.
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin is satisfied with the way his troops recovered from its season-opening loss to University of Santo Tomas.
“Sa ngayon, yung team ko siyempre sobrang maganda ang itinatakbo namin sa pagkakapanalo namin ng anim na sunod-sunod although may mga konti pa rin kaming problema in terms of unforced errors. Pero, ang sabi ko nga, nasa timing naman minsan yung mga unforced error namin kaya nama-maximize din namin ang opensa namin,” said Alinsununrin.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang ang ginagawa namin pagdating sa game and sa practice kung ano yung adjustment na puwede naming gawin pagdating sa ganitong sitwasyon.”
Nico Almendras and Congo’s Obed Mukaba added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs.
Setter Owa Retamar came through with 22 excellent sets and continued to live up to the billing as the league’s top server with a match-best three aces.
The Green Spikers saw their two-match winning streak snapped to settle for a 5-2 record in the first round.
JM Ronquillo scored 22 points, including two blocks, while Vince Maglinao was the other La Salle player in double digits with 13 points.
