Spikers’ Turf: Bulldogs take five, nail No. 1

EAC’s Howard Mojica attacks the NU wall put up by Ysmail Fauzi (10), Francis Saura (11) and Eldrige Capal in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELACRUZ

National University played a mean defense and surprisingly disposed of Emilio Aguinaldo College in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 27-25, Monday to nail the No. 1 spot in Group A of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Bryan Bagunas, Francis Saura and Kim Malabunga came to fore as the Bulldogs subdued the NCAA champion Generals with a solid blocking game for a perfect 5-0 card.

Bagunas topscored with 11 for the Bulldogs, who punched in 12 blocks against the Generals’ four.

Far Eastern University also survived a crucial match and hacked out a gripping 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-9 decision over Mapua to complete the quarterfinal cast.

Gregorio Dolor came to the Tamaraws’ rescue in the final set to finish with 18 points in the do-or-die Group A match.

“He made the key plays in the final set,” FEU coach Joseph Santos said of Dolor, a member of the under-23 men’s national team. “He really showed his seniority.”

The Tamaraws claimed the fourth spot with a 2-3 record to eliminate the Cardinals, who finished with a 1-4 slate.

Unlike in their past games, the Tamaraws no longer folded at crunchtime and controlled the deciding set by rattling off seven straight points for a 12-5 gap after a 5-5 standoff.