Nico Almendras. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Nico Almendras and Ken Malinis powered defending champion National University past winless University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, to stay unbeaten in nine games in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Almendras poured in 19 points and delivered 13 receptions and five digs, while Malinis provided six of the Bulldogs’ 15 blocks to finish with 17 points to stretch their winning streak to 27 games dating back to Season 81.
Both Almendras and Malinis lost their cool after their five-set win over the Fighting Maroons in the first round last month which resulted in a one-set expulsion due to their unsportsmanlike behavior.
The star outside spiker, who apologized for his behavior the following game, said they already learned their lesson, and coach Dante Alinsunurin made sure to keep their emotions in check.
“Coach told us that hopefully, it won’t happen again. We avoided taunting every point and just turn our backs to celebrate as a team,” said Almendras in Filipino.
“We’re happy because we were able to apply our training inside the court. We just had some lapses in the third that’s why we lost.”
Ken Malinis. UAAP PHOTO
Alinsunurin was glad that his wards stayed composed and focused, recovering from a third-set loss.
“Before the game, I reminded them to stay focused. Whatever happened during our last game versus UP, we can’t do it again,” he said in Filipino. “When we lost the third, I just told them to go back to whatever we did in the first two sets because UP worked hard throughout the match.”
Michaelo Buddin also stepped up with 12 points. Setter Joshua Retamar had 15 excellent sets and four markers, while Obed Mukaba and Gerard Diao got nine and eight points, respectively.
UP fell to the brink of elimination after remaining winless in nine games before the Holy Week break.
Louis Gamban led the Fighting Maroons with 13 points and 21 excellent receptions, while Ranz Cajolo and Angelo Lipata added 11 points each.