Bulldogs forge title showdown with defending champs Eagles

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University went through great lengths Wednesday to reach the finals against a resting, unbeaten Ateneo.

NU endured Far Eastern University’s torrid attacks and watched the Tamaraws suffer a meltdown down the stretch to prevail, 23-25, 25-20, 15-25, 25-21, 15-12, in the UAAP men’s volleyball semifinals at Filoil Flying V Arena.

The win enabled the Bulldogs to book their fifth straight championship appearance, where they will face defending champion Ateneo a second straight time.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals for both men’s and women’s divisions will be on May 2 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bryan Bagunas had 23 points—18 on attacks—to lead NU, which was reeling on the ropes after losing the third set and trailing, 16-20, in the fourth.

“All our hard work and effort paid off,” said Bagunas. “We made sacrifices, like during the Holy Week we didn’t go home but continued training [in school].”