National U sweeps UST to complete UAAP men’s volleyball four-peat | ABS-CBN

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National U sweeps UST to complete UAAP men’s volleyball four-peat

National U sweeps UST to complete UAAP men’s volleyball four-peat

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated May 15, 2024 10:23 PM PHT

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National University celebrates after winning the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball championship, May 15, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Bulldogs defeated the UST Golden Spikers in four sets in Game 2 of the Finals series. UAAP MediaNational University celebrates after winning the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball championship, May 15, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Bulldogs defeated the UST Golden Spikers in four sets in Game 2 of the Finals series. UAAP Media

MANILA (UPDATED) — The UAAP men's volleyball tournament championship remains in Jhocson.

National University completed a historic four-peat by beating the University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15, in front of 17,089 fans during Game 2 of the Season 86 men's Finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Bulldogs swept their Finals series against the Golden Spikers, having won the first game in straight sets.

Leading NU was Finals MVP Owa Retamar as he delivered 26 excellent sets for NU while also tallying nine excellent digs and three points.

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"Nakakaproud yung team namin, ayun yung masasabi ko," he said after the game, while also expressing his confidence that the winning tradition of the Bulldogs will continue despite already clinching their sixth men's volleyball title in the league.

"Nung nag meeting kami, sinabi ko sa kanila pag nag champion tayo magtutuloy-tuloy yan kasi madadala yung pride and momentum ng pagiging champion. Natutuwa ako and na-eexcite ako sa next UAAP," he continued.

Top-scoring for the Bulldogs was Buds Buddin as he scored 28 markers that were built on 22 attacks, five blocks, and an ace, and he also finished with 17 receptions. Leo Aringo followed Buds with 22 points, and also starring for them was Nico Almendras who posted 20 markers, 17 receptions, and six digs.

These numbers as well as the teamwork made NU coach Dante Alinsunurin even more proud of his boys. 

"Sobrang thankful kasi kita ko sa mga players ko na pagpunta namin dito, talagang gusto na nilang kunin yung laro ngayon. Credit sa mga players ko. Talagang trinabaho nila ‘to ngayon mula nung pumasok sa semis," he said.

"Talagang tumutok talaga sila at disiplinado sila sa ginagawa namin araw araw. Sobrang thankful ako ngayon naging maayos yung laro namin and na domina namin yung laro kaya nakuha namin yung kampeonato," Alinsunurin continued. 

The National University Bulldogs take on the University Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 Men's Volleyball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 15, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsThe National University Bulldogs take on the University Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 Men's Volleyball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 15, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Ahead by four, 8-4, in what turned out to be the final set of the men's volleyball tournament, NU went on to extend their lead to seven, 17-10, after an off-the-block kill by Aringo midway through the fourth. 

A block by Buddin then extended their lead to 10, 22-12, an Almendras cross-court hit gave the Bulldogs the championship point, while another hit from the latter eventually gave Coach Dante's squad its fourth straight championship.

Earlier, after opening the game with a Set 1 win, the Bulldogs saw themselves down by five, 16-11, midway in the second frame. 

Buddin attempted to rally National U later in the second and was even able to tie the game at 20 after his block on Sherwin Umandal, but a service error from Buddin gave UST a one-point lead yet again.

Two Umandal off-the-block kills and an Almendras error gave the Golden Spikers a 24-21 lead, while a net touch from the Bulldogs eventually allowed the España hitters to tie the game at one set apiece.

However, the Bulldogs went back into form in the third and fired a 21-10 run which was capped by an off-the-block hit by Almendras.

Alinsunurin's troops not only were able to dominate the rest of the third for a 2-1 set advantage, but this momentum also propelled them to an 8-4 start in the fourth canto.

Heading the España-hitters attack was newly-minted UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez as the now two-time winner finished with 24 points, all on attacks, as well as 14 receptions and seven digs. 

Following him were Gboy De Vega who had 15 markers and Dux Yumbao who tossed 15 excellent sets.

Unfortunately for UST, this was the second season that they absorbed a sweep from NU in the championship round.

But regardless of this, UST mentor Odjie Mamon wanted his team to remain in high spirits following their silver finish.

"Lumaban tayo, keep your heads up," he told them right after the game.

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