By ADRIAN STEWART Co
Defending champion National University (NU) made quick work of the University of the East (UE), 25-20, 25-13, 25-20, to claim solo second place in the UAAP Season 88 collegiate men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 4.
Riding the momentum from a straight-sets win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on February 28, the Bulldogs relied on Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin to secure their second consecutive victory and fourth triumph in five games.
With the win, NU broke a tie for second place with the idle University of Santo Tomas (3-1), improving to a 4-1 record ahead of a showdown with Ateneo de Manila University at the same venue this Sunday, March 8.
“Syempre, naging maganda ‘yung performance namin, and nabasa namin kung ano ‘yung set plays na gagawin nila. Gumanda talaga ‘yung blockings namin,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“Although mas marami ‘yung service error namin, pero sabi ko nga, sa ganyang sitwasyon, kailangang mapantayan natin or malagyan natin ng mas maraming atake para hindi magka-problem sa bandang huli,” he added.
UE started the third set strong, taking an early three-point lead at 10-7, but NU gradually regained control, leaning on consecutive attacks from Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba and errors by the Red Warriors to tie the frame at 17-all.
From there, the Bulldogs dominated, finishing the set on an 8-3 run — highlighted by two Buddin attacks, a CJ Nabora attack error, a running hit, and a game-winning block from Taguibolos — to complete their sweep of UE.
In the second set, NU raced to an early 16-9 lead and never looked back, as a Taguibolos block, two Nabora miscues, and a Buddin off-the-speed hit pushed the Bulldogs to an insurmountable two-set advantage.
Ordiales led NU with 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks, while Jade Disquitado contributed 13 points on 11 attacks, along with 15 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Buddin added 11 points, and Taguibolos also scored 11 points, built on six blocks, four attacks and one ace.
Mukaba finished with eight points on five blocks and three attacks, while Greg Ancheta delivered 16 excellent sets.
Jimwell Gapultos recorded nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions./ASC, WDJ