After three years of silver, the National University Bulldogs have reclaimed UAAP gold, completing a sweep of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Finals against their perennial tormentors Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-20, 31-29, 25-22, 33-31, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs cruised to open the match, grabbing an 8-5 lead in the first set and staving off late Ateneo runs. The Blue Eagles got within two, 22-20, but the Bulldogs scored the next three points to take a 1-0 lead.
Leading 23-17, NU seemed to have the second frame in tow until Marck Espejo caught fire. The five-time Most Valuable Player unleashed back row hits that allowed Ateneo to force a prolonged deuce. NU squandered several service errors, but a pair of clutch blocks from Madz Gampong sealed a 2-0 advantage for the Bulldogs.
Former UAAP Juniors MVP Ron Medalla went to work in the third set. The open hitter found seams in the NU defense, swooping in for a cross-court hit that gave the Blue Eagles a 16-11 lead. The Bulldogs mustered a late comeback, but only came as close as two, 24-22. Medalla slapped a hit off two blockers that gave the Blue Eagles their first set win of the series.
NU’s strong start in the fourth set dissolved. Trailing 3-9, the Blue Eagles relied on their strong blocking, pulling four from Gian Glorioso, which gave them a 17-14 lead. But a string of Ateneo errors then gave the Bulldogs a short-lived 20-18 lead that turned into a 20-all tie after two of NU’s own miscues. The set again dragged into a long deuce, with the Bulldogs relentlessly converting each side out. The Ateneo dynasty ended on an attack error from Ron Medalla.
Finals MVP Bryan Bagunas finished with 22 points, while Season 78 Rookie of the Year James Natividad added 18 markers. In his final collegiate match, Fauzi Ismail managed three markers.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila na ito na talaga ‘yung chance namin para maging champion. Sa tao-tao lang lamang kami tapos galing pa ‘yung Ateneo sa madugong laban noong semis,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin about the Blue Eagles, who had defeated them in three straight Finals.
“Alam namin na ito talaga ‘yung chance namin. Malaki na ‘yung minature ng mga bata. Kung dati nahihirapan kami sa mga adjustments ng kalaban, ngayon may composure na kami,” he added.
NU have won their first UAAP title since Season 76. Ateneo saw the end of the Marck Espejo-Ish Polvorosa era.
Espejo, the hands-down best player in the local men’s volleyball, tallied 30 points in his final UAAP outing. Medalla finished with 16.
The Scores
NU (3) – Bagunas 22, Natividad 18, Malabunga 10, Gampong 8, Saura 8, Dayandante 3, Ismail 3, Ancheta 0, Mondero 0, Marcos (L)
ADMU (1) – Espejo 30, Medalla 16, Glorioso 10, Rivera 7, Njigha 5, Labao 1, Morado 1, Polvorosa 1, Baysa 0, Trinidad 0, Sumanguid (L)
