MANILA, Philippines — National University was a set away from absorbing its first defeat in the 75th UAAP men’s volleyball competition.
But the resilient Bulldogs clawed back from two sets down to stun University of Santo Tomas, 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-11 Saturday at the Arena in San Juan to stay unscathed in eight games.
Five players scattered double digit ouputs for the league-leading NU, which managed to squeak past UST with its tough net defense, scoring 16 points off 82 blocks.
Captain Rueben Inaudito came up with the winner in the fifth set and finished with 15 hits (five blocks), even as Peter Dan Man Torres topscored for the Bulldogs with 20 points.
The Tiger Spikers reeled to their fourth setback with as many victories, failing to capitalize on a huge 2-0 edge early in the match.
Salvador Depante scored a game-best 21 points while Mark Gil Alfafara and Romnick Rico added 18 and 16 points, respectively, for UST, which tied Adamson for an identical 4-4 record.