By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Final 4-bound National University (NU) Bulldogs made quick work of also-run University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15, to secure a playoff for a twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Negrense Leo Ordiales powered the Bulldogs with 12 points, built on eight attacks, three blocks and one ace, alongside three excellent digs, as NU moved one win away from securing a coveted playoff advantage.
With their fifth straight victory, the Bulldogs stayed in striking distance of the top seed, improving to a 10-2 win-loss record.
“Sa preparation namin, sinasabi ko naman sa players ko na last three games na lang [sa eliminations], kaya kailangan all out na tayo kasi malapit na ‘yung playoffs. Kung ano man ‘yung maging performance natin sa last three games, dadalhin natin ito sa playoffs,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
The Red Warriors stayed within striking distance at 17-14 in the third set, but the Bulldogs pulled away with a commanding 8-1 closing run — capped by a block from Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba on Raquim Aceron, a Jade Disquitado ace, and the game-winning quick hit from rookie Migs Egger — to secure their 10th win in 12 matches.
In the second frame, UE trimmed an 18-14 deficit to as close as 22-20, but back-to-back service errors from Gerald Perit and Mark Lee Budias, along with a Mukaba block on Xjhann Camaymayan, pushed NU to a comfortable two-set advantage.
The Bulldogs also capitalized on the Red Warriors’ miscues, as UE committed 27 errors in the 72-minute match.
Disquitado added 11 points on 10 attacks and one ace, along with seven excellent receptions and two excellent digs, while Mukaba chipped in 10 points off six blocks, three attacks and one ace.
Buds Buddin contributed six points, two excellent digs and two excellent receptions, while Choi Diao also had six points on three attacks, two blocks and one ace.
Greg Ancheta tallied 11 excellent sets.
On the other hand, the Red Warriors dropped their second straight loss, falling into a tie for last place with the Soaring Falcons, as both teams hold identical 2-10 records.
Roy Piojo paced UE with 15 points, six excellent receptions and two excellent digs, while Camaymayan added eight points on six attacks and two blocks./ASC, WDJ