NU Bulldogs’ Jade Disquitado during the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament against FEU Tamaraws.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Joshua Retamar and Jade Disquitado tallied their career-highs in scoring to lift defending champion National University past erstwhile-unbeaten Far Eastern University, 25-22, 21-25, 25-14, 23-25, 18-16, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Retamar matched his career-high 12 points for the second straight game, highlighted by six aces and four blocks, and dished out 22 excellent sets as the 19-year-old Disquitado unleashed his UAAP career-high 29 points off 24 spikes, four aces, and a block to force a three-way tie on top with FEU and La Salle with identical 4-1 records.
“FEU is a strong team. They know how to attack and who to target,” said the graduating setter, who became the first setter to tally back-to-back double-double performances.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
NU needed to save FEU’s 16-15 matchpoint advantage in the fifth followed by two consecutive attack errors of the Tamaraws to steal the matchpoint, 17-16. Choi Diao delivered the game-winning quick attack to end the two-hour and 19-minute match.
Leo Aringo and Nico Almendras were also instrumental for the Bulldogs with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
“It was a tough match against FEU, no wonder they’re on top. What’s important for us is that we learned from this situation,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
READ: UAAP volleyball: Retamar, NU Bulldogs make it three in a row
Dryx Saavedra led FEU’s balanced attack with 19 points. Andrei Delicana and Jayjay Javelona had 12 and 11 points, respectively. Martin Bugaoan added 10 points in their first defeat of the season.
FEU will seek to regain its winning ways on Saturday against Adamson University (2-2) while NU will aim to get its streak going against the University of the East on Sunday. Both will be at the same Pasay venue.
Meanwhile, Vince Maglinao fired 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and an ace as La Salle earned its third straight win after beating the winless University of the East, 25-14, 25-20, 31-29.
Noel Kampton and JM Ronquillo backstopped Maglinao with 13 points each as the Green Archers won four of their first five games.
UE remained winless with Joshua Pozas carrying the Red Warriors with 14 points on top of five digs.