Third-year open hitter Bryan Bagunas recorded a game-high 23 points and buoyed his National University Bulldogs to a four-set win over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-18, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Batangas native Bagunas scored above 20 points for the fourth time this season. Senior open hitter Fauzi Ismail adder 15 points.
After dropping the first set, the Bulldogs came out with more energy and focused on their first touches, according to head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Mabagal talaga ‘yung nilaro namin noong una. ‘Yung mga errors namin galing sa hindi maayos na receive. Kinailangan talaga namin mag-focus. Thankfully, nakaraos kami noong mga sumunod na set,” lamented Alinsunurin.
The following frames became drubbings, as NU found their groove and buried UST in early holes. Despite limiting their miscues in the first set, the Tigers still ended up with more errors — 33 to NU’s 28.
The Bulldogs stay in second place with a 7-1 record, and next play on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre against the Adamson University Falcons (2-6).
UST open hitters Manuel Medina and Jerico Jose each contributed 12 points, while skipper Arnold Bautista added 10 markers.
UST falls to fifth with a 3-5 slate. They take on the University of the East Red Warriors (1-7) also on Wednesday.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 23, Ismail 15, Malabunga 9, Saura 9, Natividad 6, Dayandante 1, Ancheta 0, Marcos (L)
UST (1) – Jose 12, Medina 12, Bautista 10, Buro 6, Sumagaysay 4, Tajanlangit T. 2, Carodan 1, Icalina 1, Pangan 0, Francisco (L)
