MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATED) National University (NU) completed a long journey back to the top of the UAAP men’s volleyball mountain with a hard-earned win over Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs overcame the Blue Eagles in four difficult sets, two of which went into extension, to claim the UAAP Season 80 men’s volleyball crown at the Araneta Coliseum.

Behind their superb blocking, the Bulldogs seized a 25-20, 31-29, 22-25, 33-31 triumph over the three-time defending champion Blue Eagles.

It was NU’s first UAAP men’s title since Season 76, when they also beat Ateneo for their their second volleyball crown.

The loss saw the end of Ateneo’s three-year dominance of UAAP men’s volleyball, and the end of the collegiate career of ace setter Ish Polvorosa and five-time Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo, along with skipper Karl Baysa.

“Ito 'yung napakasarap na championship,” said NU Coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was the picture of euphoria when Ron Medalla’s final attack went wide, giving his team the winning point.

“Tatlong finals na kami lumalaban (sa Ateneo), pagkatapos naming lumaban, umiiyak kami,” he added. “Ngayon, naging maganda naman.”

“Sobrang saya namin.”

Bryan Bagunas earned Finals MVP honors after scoring 22 points on 17 kills, four blocks, and an ace. James Natividad added 18 points, and Kim Malabunga scored 10 markers for the Bulldogs.

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NU was making its sixth straight finals appearance, but to win the crown they needed to overcome an Ateneo team that had beaten them in the previous three championship series. They took the first step towards regaining the title with a straight sets win in Game 1 last Saturday, but Game 2 proved to be a more difficult affair.

After winning the opening set, 25-20, the Bulldogs were cruising to a win in the second frame after taking a 23-17 lead off a poor attack by John Rivera of Ateneo.

But the Blue Eagles came alive, thanks to Espejo, who scored back-to-back hits to anchor a 7-1 blast. NU did not help itself as setter Kim Dayandante was called for two straight violations. A kill by Espejo and a block on Madz Gampong tied the frame at 24, and the two squads went blow for blow from that point.

Ateneo took a 28-27 lead off another point by Espejo, but James Natividad scored off the Blue Eagles’ blockers to tie the frame. Natividad then proceeded to reject Espejo’s next attack to put NU at set point, 29-28. Espejo responded with a crosscourt kill to tie the frame for the last time at 29, but he committed a service error, then saw his attack turned back by Gampong as NU seized the win and the 2-0 lead.

The Blue Eagles stayed alive with a 25-22 win in the third frame, which saw Espejo get some support from Medalla and Gian Glorioso.

That set up the incredible fourth set, which saw NU race to a 9-3 lead, only to see the Blue Eagles roar back and take a 17-14 advantage. Mishits by Espejo as well as kills by Bryan Bagunas helped NU regain the advantage, 20-18, before Ateneo knotted it up anew off an Espejo crosscourt spike and an NU net violation.

From there, the two squads went blow for blow in a showcase of powerful volleyball. Ateneo reached set point twice, 24-23 and 25-24, but the Bulldogs refused to fold. The Blue Eagles - with Espejo leading the charge - also displayed their championship heart, saving an amazing six match points, the last when Medalla checked his spike off NU’s blockers to tie the set at 31.

Natividad put the Bulldogs at match point for the seventh time when he finished off a combination play, and NU did not even need to work for their last point as Medalla sent his last attack wide.

Espejo finished his career with 30 points on 26 kills and four blocks, while Medalla added 16 markers, and Glorioso had 10. The Blue Eagles had more attacks, 58-50, but NU again showed their incredible net defense with 19 kill blocks.

NU should be the favorites once more for Season 81, as they are only set to lose Gampong while also welcoming former Rookie of the Year Edward Camposano into the fold.

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