Last season’s runners-up, National University Bulldogs put together their first win streak in the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, nabbing their second straight victory after sweeping the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 27-25, 25-18, 25-20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Sampaloc-based spikers suffered through an early lull which has they have made a trend this season. With their errors almost costing them the first set, National U made sure to be thriftier with their giveaways for the rest of the match.
“Medyo sakit na talaga ng team ‘yung ganyang mga mabagal na simula. May kumpiyansa kasi ‘yung team na kaya nila manalo. Maganda ‘yun, pero medyo nagiging dahilan din siya ng mga errors namin,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kumbaga, kailangan lang uminit ng team tapos makapa kung ano ‘yung ginagawa na kalaban. Ang maganda ngayon eh medyo nakakasunod na kami sa gameplan namin,” he added.
After giving up 10 errors in the first set, NU had just one for the rest of the match.
National team stalwart Bryan Bagunas topped the Bulldogs with 16 points while graduating senior Fauzi Ismail and Season 78 Rookie of the Year James Natividad added 12 markers, apiece.
NU (3-1) takes on the much-improved UST Tiger Spikers (3-1) on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Arjay Onia led the Green Spikers with 14 points while Raymark Woo managed 13.
La Salle (1-3) tries to snap their two-game slide on Satueday against the Adamson Soaring Falcons (1-3).
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 16, Ismail 12, Natividad 12, Malabunga 8, Saura 3, Dayandante 2, Gampong 2, Mondero 1, Marcos (L)
DLSU (0) – Onia 14, Woo 13, Dumago 5, Reyes 3, Delos Reyes 2, Maravilla 1, Asia 0, Dimayuga 0, Frey 0, Movido (L)
