National University ended University of the East’s 11-year reign in the boys division with a come-from-behind 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-6 victory Thursday in the UAAP Season 78 high school volleyball tournament at the jampacked Adamson University gym.
In the finals series that went the full route, the Bullpups displayed tremendous poise under pressure as they stormed back from a 1-2 set deficit with Allen Bacolor nailing the championship-clinching service ace.
NU held the thrice-to-beat advantage in the title round after sweeping the double-round eliminations, but bowed twice to a gritty UE side, including last Wednesday’s 21-25, 25-19, 28-30, 25-21, 16-18 loss in Game 3 that forged a decider.
The victory completed a high school volleyball double for the Bullpups, who earlier won a second straight girls volleyball crown.
NU coach Ed Barroga was more than happy to get past a long-time champion.
“It’s different when you’re champion of 11 years. That’s really hard to beat. We got an opening there to take the lead and the boys were able to pull it off,” said Barroga.
The Bullpups, who placed third last season, ruled the tournament despite having a rookie-laden line-up with only three players led by Finals MVP Reyes in their sophomore year.
NU’s Kampton and Billie Jean Anima were named the Rookie of the Year and Best Blocker, respectively.
The Bulldogs’ victory could be the start of a new order in boys volleyball which is used to be the Junior Warriors’ domain for more than a decade.
“Now we’re gonna take care of that. We’re going to prepare for that,” said Barroga.
UE’s Shaun Ledesma bagged the Season MVP and Best Scorer awards, while his teammates Ralph Imperial and Marc Caballero took home the Best Setter and Best Receiver honors, respectively.
University of Santo Tomas’ Eduardo Manuel went home with the Best Receiver plum.