UAAP: NU sweeps its way to complete three-peat quest in men's volleyball | ABS-CBN

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UAAP: NU sweeps its way to complete three-peat quest in men's volleyball

UAAP: NU sweeps its way to complete three-peat quest in men's volleyball

Karl Cedrick Basco,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated May 14, 2023 05:15 PM PHT

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The NU Bulldogs have swept UAAP Season 85 to crown themselves champions once again. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.
The NU Bulldogs have swept UAAP Season 85 to crown themselves champions once again. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA (UPDATED) -- The National University Bulldogs joined the elite group of teams that swept all their games en route to a championship trophy.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs wrote history when they ripped the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 men's volleyball finals, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, to capture their third straight title with a perfect 16-0 record.

This made NU the third team in the Final Four era to go unbeaten in the entire season after UST in Season 71 and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 79.

“Ako talagang sobrang thankful ako sa naging perofrmance ng players ko ngayon. Pumunta kami dito para talagang kunin itong championship ngayong araw na ito,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

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“First game pa lang, goal na namin 'to, na manalo kami, na-sweep namin. Sobrang thankful kami na nakuha namin itong panalo na ito.”

Season’s 2nd Best Outside Spiker Michaelo Buddin powered NU with 20 points while senior Nico Almendras had 14 points.

But it was setter Joshua Retamar who captured the Finals MVP for dishing out 17 excellent sets aside from two blocks.

Despite the loss, UST still tallied its best finish in the men’s volleyball since Season 74.

After taking the opening set, the Bulldogs made sure to control the game with an 8-5 lead in the second frame after Almendras' back-to-back kills.

UST attempted to comeback with Rainier Flor hammered a quick hit, trimming their deficit, 11-12. But an error from the Golden Spikers and an ace of Buddin gave NU a 14-11 breather.

A backrow hit of Gboy de Vega followed by a mistake from Bulldogs equalized the set at 15-all. NU would then break away again with Kenry Malinis unleashing a through-the-block kill, 19-16.

After a crosscourt spike of newly-minted rookie-MVP Josh Ybañez, 21-23, the Bulldogs put the finishing touches with Almendras and Malinis teaming up for a 2-0 NU lead.

NU further stepped on the gas pedal in the third frame, erecting a 21-14 advantage after an attack from Almendras.

UST tried to rally back as a drop shot of De Vega sparked a mini 3-0 run for UST to cut their deficit to three, 19-22.

After a timeout, the Bulldogs pulled away and capped the game with an outside spike of Ybañez to defend the title once again.

Ybañez finished the game with 13 points while De Vega had 10 markers to end the season.

UAAP Season 85 is streaming on iWantTFC every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, available for Premium users outside the Philippines.

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