UAAP men’s volleyball: Seven straight for NU, Ateneo outlasts UST

NU Bulldogs’ Nico Almendras.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University kept hard-fighting University of the Philippines with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-16 win in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs leaned on Nico Almendras, who unleashed 19 points on an efficient 18-of-27 spiking clip including the crucial hits in the first two sets en route to their seventh straight victory.

Rookie Jade Disquitado continued to sizzle for NU with 13 points. Leo Aringo chipped in 11 points, as setter Joshua Retamar tallied 20 excellent sets and six points.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

“The second round will determine the top four and it is where the teams will peak so we can’t be complacent and we have to value every game,” said team captain Retamar in Filipino.

NU coach Dante Alinsunurin lauded the.m composure of his wards in toe-to-toe duels as the Bulldogs, who hold a 7-1 record, overcame the UP duo Angelo Lagando and Louis Gamban, who had 14 and 12 points, respectively, despite remaining winless in eight games.

“It was a good game. We struggled at first but our team already learned to overcome a slow start,” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.

READ: NU posts 6th straight win, downs La Salle in UAAP men’s volleyball

NU battles the University of Santo Tomas, the team that handed its lone defeat, on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jian Salarzon poured in a career-high 32 points to lift Ateneo past UST in five sets, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, 26-28, 15-9.

Salarzon dropped 29 attacks, two blocks, and an ace to end Ateneo’s two-game skid and overcome reigning MVP Josh Ybañez’s 33-point explosion, tying UST at 4-4.

“Credit to my teammates, I won’t be able to score [32] points without their help,” said Salarzon in Filipino.

Ken Batas backstopped Salarzon with 25 points, while Amil Pacinio had 10 points, 26 receptions, and 14 digs as the Blue Eagles completed an elimination-round sweep of the Golden Spikers, whom they beat in the first round in five sets, 15-25, 32-30, 20-25, 25-20, 17-15.

“We’re very happy that we were able to get a win again starting this second round especially since we’re coming from back-to-back losses,” said Ateneo coach Timmy Sto. Tomas.

Ybañez also had 13 receptions and 10 digs on top of his career-best in points. Gboy De Vega had  18 points and 17 receptions, while Popoy Colinares added 10 points.