Following a disastrous first set, the National University Bulldogs showed their mettle and out-muscled the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 18-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-18, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Slow starts have become a staple of NU’s season, rued head coach Dante Alinsunurin. Against UST, National gave up a flurry of errors and mis-receptions to start the match.
“Naging sakit ng team so kailangang gamutin,” Alinsunurin lamented.
“Medyo gigil din kasi kami noong simula. Noong mga sumunod na set naman, mas nakaka-execute na kami. Malaking bagay na naka-perform kamk ng ganito laban sa UST kasi malakas din ang team nila this season,” the enlisted Air Force personnel added.
National Team stalwart Bryan Bagunas topped the Bulldogs with 18 markers, while graduating winger Fauzi Ismail tallied 17 points.
Senior winger Arnold Bautista led the Tiger Spikers with 14 points, while Joshua Umandal added 11 markers.
NU rolled to their straight win and sport a 4-1 record. They take on the league leading Far Eastern UniversityTamaraws (5-0) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. UST (3-2) will face the skidding University of the Philippines Maroons (1-4) also on Wednesday.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 18, Ismail 17, Natividad 11, Malabunga 8, Saura 7, Dayandante 1, Marcos (L)
UST (1) – Bautista 14, Umandal 11, Sumagaysay 10, Carodon 6, Tajanlangit 5, Medina 4, Arbasto 3, Casillan 0, Corda 0, Sawal (L)
