A young National University squad proved up to the task and disposed of Mapua in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22, at the start of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Fauzi Ismail and rookie Bryan Bagunas came through with 14 points each for the Bulldogs, who are reeling from the graduation of the explosive Peter Torres along with the core of their champion squad.
Save for a stretch in the third set where they roared back from a 14-17 deficit, the Bulldogs had the match under control and even found no need to field in guest players Jann Sumagui and Berhashidin Daymil.
“I’m happy with how my second stringers played,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
In the second game, University of the Philippines hacked out a 21-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-13 triumph over Arellano.
After a first-set setback, the Maroons fought back behind Wendel Miguel, Alfred Valbuena and Julius Raymundo aside from making the most out of the Chiefs’ 35 errors.
Miguel pumped in 17 of his 20 points off attacks to lift the Maroons, who stymied the Chiefs’ comeback attempt in the last two sets with their blocking and floor defense.