The National University Bulldogs quickly handled the erring University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19, to keep hold of second place, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UST started off strong, erasing a five-point NU lead to force a 21-all first set deadlock following a wrong call on a Bryan Bagunas smash. The league’s leading scorer responded in the following points, scoring consecutive plays to lift NU to a 23-21 lead. From there, NU protected their lead, capping the set with a beautiful reverse play for James Natividad.
The following frames were not as close, with the Bulldogs pounding on the Tigers’ poor reception. Stifled, UST could not counter NU’s runs resulting in a quick win.
NU skipper Francis Saura had his best game of the season with 12 points from eight attacks, two blocks, and two aces. The Bulldogs gathered 17 points off block kills and aces. UST had just six points combined in both categories.
“Masaya naman kami sa pinakita nang mga bata. Maganda kasi pinapakita nila ‘yung ine-ensayo namin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ‘to para may confidence kami para sa second round,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
NU’s 5-1 slate puts them at solo second, with their last match on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena coming against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (3-3).
Jerico Jose was the only Tiger in double-digits with 10 points. UST gave up 30 errors to NU’s 20.
UST are tied with UP at fourth place with a 3-3 record. The Tiger Spikers play their final first-round match on Saturday also at the Mall of Asia Arena against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (4-2).
The Scores
NU (3) – Ismail 12, Saura 12, Bagunas 10, Malabunga 9, Natividad 9, Dayandante 3, Marcos (L)
UST (0) – Jose 10, Medina 5, Bautista 4, Buro 4, Sumagaysay 4, Tajanlangit 3, Samonte 0, Francisco (L)
