NU returns to men’s finals after tough five-setter over FEU

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University came back and dealt Far Eastern University a crushing defeat in five sets, 23-25, 25-20, 15-25, 25-21, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball semifinals Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Bulldogs were down 2-1 in sets before an inspired run leveled the scores and forced a fifth set.

NU will now face defending champions Ateneo for the fourth straight time in the finals.

A service error from the John Paul Bugaoan completed the Bulldogs’ comeback and ended the Tamaraws’ campaign in the most heartbreaking fashio.

With his team going into a fourth straight duel against Ateneo in the finals, Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said their six-game gruelling grind en route to the finals puts them at an advantage.

“This is better for us that we’re playing instead of taking a long break before the finals,” said the two-time champion coach. “It’s better for us when we’re playing for a longer time than Ateneo.”

“We went at it against FEU, and if you’re a player you can feel your momentum building up. And if you’re on break, you’re just playing tune up games and you might get rusty before the game itself.”

Bryan Bagunas willed NU with 23 points while Fauzi Ismail and Kim Malabunga added a combined 28 points.

Richard Solis had a team-high 15 points for FEU while Redijohn Paler and Gregorio Dolor were not far behind finishing with 14 and 13 points, respectively.