UAAP: Bulldogs turn back Golden Spikers for 3-0 start in men’s volleyball
NU Bulldogs’ Michaelo Buddin. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The National University Bulldogs took down the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, 25-20, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21, to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament and avenge their women’s squad on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Michaelo Buddin unleashed 21 points off 16 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to keep the Bulldogs unscathed with a 3-0 record. Nico Almendras also poured in 17 points, while Ken Malinis added 13 markers.
Article continues after this advertisementSetter Josh Retamar shone with 23 excellent sets and finished with five points, saying they wanted to get back on UST after its women’s team handed the Lady Bulldogs’ first loss before their game.
“When we learned that our women’s team lost, we wanted to bounce back for them. So when we crossed paths going to the court. We said that we will win it for them,” said Retamar in Filipino. “Good thing we were able to do it for them and we all know that they will bounce back in the second round.”
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin agreed with Retamar but they also wanted to beat UST, which took them down in Game 2 of the V-League men’s finals before closing out the series in the rubber match.
Article continues after this advertisement“As part of the NU community, [getting back on UST] was an added motivation for us. It’s important for us to win it for them,” said Alinsunurin “But we wanted also to win because we face them in the V-League. So I told my players that we need this win. We were off in the third set but good thing we bounced back in the fourth.”
UST slid to a 2-1 record, amid Josh Ybanez 20-point effort on top of 13 digs and 12 receptions.
Jay De la Noche had 14 points, while Rey De Vega added 10 markers.
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