National University shrugged off Arellano University in four sets, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, to remain unscathed in three matches in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge Group B action, Friday afternoon at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The results saw the Bulldogs take the solo lead in the group with a 3-0 win-loss card and get within reach of the quarterfinals. The Chiefs, on the other hand, remained winless at 0-3.
With Arellano keeping in step with them, the Bulldogs turned to their net defense to eventually shut off the Chiefs’ wing spikers Carl Berdal and AC Guinto to dominate the fourth set and take the win.
“OK naman, good naman, pero nag-struggle kami nung second set kasi yung unforced errors namin sobrang dami,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin commented on the NU win. “Buti na lang pagdating nung third set at fourth set naka-recover kami.”
Kenry Malinis kept NU above the waters in the midst of an Arellano challenge to end with 13 points including a service ace.
Rookie Michaelo Buddin top-scored for the Bulldogs with 23 markers on 18 attacks, four blocks, and one service ace, while captain Joshua Retamar helped as well on offense with 10 points to go with his 16 excellent sets.
Berdal took the cudgels for Arellano with 13 points, all coming from attacks, but it was Guinto who kept the Chiefs in the match with his timely hits that ended at 11 in total.
