Four-time defending champion NU Bulldogs eye an eighth straight win dating back to Season 86 in a mid-week tussle with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Two in a row for the Bulldogs?
That is what team captain Leo Aringo and NU are aiming for as the four-time defending champion square off against the upset-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles in their UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball duel, Wednesday, February 19 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan.
The Bulldogs, who are coming off a straight-set dub of the DLSU Green Spikers in their opening match, seek to become the first time this tournament to go 2-0 in this mid-week collision.
That game saw NU score the only sweep of the opening weekend in the men’s division behind Aringo's game-long brilliance of 20 points built on 19 attacks and one block on top of 15 excellent receptions.
His teammate in Buds Buddin also made his presence felt, adding a solid 18-point performance for a strong start to NU’s quest for a historic five-peat.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa performance ng players ko kasi team effort talaga. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ito,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin bared afterwards.
But for NU to go 2-0, the powerhouse squad need to overcome a familiar face– not inside the taraflex but on the sidelines– in Ateneo head coach Vince Mangulabnan.
Mangulabnan spent his collegiate career at the Jhocson-based school where he won two titles.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]