NU Bulldogs in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—National University and Adamson barged into the win column of the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Bulldogs bounced back from a stunning season-opening loss to University of Santo Tomas with a dominant sweep of Ateneo, 25-22, 25-15, 25-17, in only 77 minutes of play.
“We got confidence with our game today. It’s a huge thing that we made a run in the first set because after that, in the second and third set, that’s where I saw the confidence in my players. We didn’t have that last game,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin in Filipino.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
“I told my players, it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we have timing. The important thing is, in the end we maximize what we do.”
Nico Almendras led the cavalry for NU with 18 points while Jade Disquitado tallied 17 to his name. Leo Aringo also scored 11 on four blocks for the Bulldogs, who improved to 1-1 for the young season.
Ken Batas led the Blue Eagles with nine points but to no avail as they fell to an identical 1-1 card.
Adamson Soaring Falcons’ Jude Aguilar. –UAAP PHOTO
The Soaring Falcons, meanwhile, blanked University of the Philippines, 27-25, 25-15, 25-22, behind Jude Aguilar’s stellar game.
Aguilar finished with a game-high 14 points built from three blocks and an ace but even he emphasized that it wasn’t easy to close out the Fighting Maroons, who showed lots of fight in the third set.
“We got chased in the third set because we laid low for a bit and that’s not how our mindset is. Our team captain reminded us that we need to finish it right away and not give any chance to the opponent,” said Aguilar in Filipino as Adamson joined the four-way-tie in fourth at 1-1.
Leo Coguimbal also helped the Soaring Falcons rise with an 11-point outing with three blocks to match.
The Fighting Maroons dropped to 0-2 in the season. Louis Gamban dropped 10 points in the defeat.