National University and De La Salle University chalked up contrasting straight-set wins over separate opponents on Wednesday to open their campaign in the UAAP Season 78 men’s volleyball tournament at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Bulldogs, last year’s losing finalists, crushed the Adamson Falcons in the third set for a 25-22, 25-22, 25-7 victory in the first game while the Green Spikers had to outlast the University of the East Red Warriors in the last two sets to eke out a 25-18, 28-26, 26-24 thriller.
James Natividad and Bryan Bagunas had 11 points apiece while Madzlan Gampong added nine for NU. Natividad had nine attacks while Gampong made his presence felt on the defensive end with three blocks.
Returning Raymark Woo led La Salle with 19 points, 17 off kills.
It was a double whammy for UE as the team also lost one of its players in Samuel Lelic, who twisted his left ankle in the second set.
UE athletic director Rod Roque told ABS-CBN Sports that the sophomore spiker was immediately brought to University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center for treatment.