Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion National University moved on the cusp of the title after turning back Far Eastern University in four sets, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball finals Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs need just one more win to repeat as champions and take their fourth title overall.
Season MVP Bryan Bagunas finished with 18 points to lead NU while getting additional firepower from Rookie of the Year James Natividad, who put up 16 points.
“We had a small problem in the first set because of the adjustments our opponents made,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin in Filipino. “It’s a good thing once the second set started we were able to recover and carried that momentum in the third and fourth sets.”
“I hope this continues in the second game.”
Madzlan Gampong and Kim Malabunga also finished in double digits for the Bulldogs with 10 points apiece.
Richard Solis had 17 points to lead FEU while John Paul Bugaoan added 14.