Defending champion NU Bulldogs swept the UE Red Warriors to climb to solo second place in the UAAP Season 88 men's volleyball tournament.
Defending champion National University made quick work of the University of the East, 25-20, 25-13, 25-20, to claim solo second place in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Riding the momentum from a straight-sets win over the UP Fighting Maroons last Saturday, the Bulldogs relied on Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin to secure their second consecutive victory and fourth triumph in five games.
With the win, NU broke a tie for second place with the idle University of Santo Tomas (3-1), improving to a 4-1 record ahead of a showdown with Ateneo de Manila University this Sunday, March 8, at the same venue.
"Siyempre, naging maganda 'yung performance namin, and nabasa namin kung ano 'yung set plays na gagawin nila. Gumanda talaga 'yung blockings namin talaga,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
"Although mas marami 'yung service error namin, pero sabi ko nga, sa ganyang sitwasyon, kailangan mapantayan natin or malagyan natin ng mas maraming atake para hindi magkaproblem sa bandang huli."
UE started the third set strong, taking an early three-point lead at 10-7, but NU gradually regained control, leaning on consecutive attacks from Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba and errors by the Red Warriors to tie the frame at 17-all.
From there, the Bulldogs dominated, finishing the set on an 8-3 run, highlighted by two Buddin attacks, a CJ Nabora attack error, a running hit, and a game-winning block from Taguibolos, to complete their sweep of UE.
Ordiales led NU with 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks, while Jade Disquitado contributed 13 points on 11 attacks, along with 15 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Buddin added 11 points, and Taguibolos also scored 11 points, built on six blocks, four attacks, and one ace.
After snapping a 23-game skid with a breakthrough win over Adamson University on February 21, UE suffered its second straight loss, dropping to solo seventh with a 1-4 record.
Raquim Aceron led the Red Warriors with eight points and 24 excellent receptions, while Nabora posted an all-around performance with eight points, nine excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions.
UE aims to bounce back when it faces winless De La Salle University this Saturday, at the same venue.