Shrugging off a bad start, the National University Bulldogs came to life in the third period and went on to repulse the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18, yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs sustained the momentum they got in third set until the fourth and this allowed them to take Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s volleyball tournament.
Season MVP Bryan Bagunas scored 18 points for the Bulldogs, who can finish off the Tamaraws in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Tams, led by Richard Solis with 13 points, were able to adjust to the Bulldogs’ defensive place in the first set of their one-hour, 42-minute encounter, 25-21.
The Bulldogs pulled even in the second set with a 25-23 win, and then fought their way out of a 23-all deadlock after Tams spiker Sam Padon committed a service error.
They took match point in the third set after Bulldogs spiker Angelo Almendras scored against blockers Peter Quiel and John Paul Salabsab.
The Bulldogs capitalized on the Tams’ service errors in the fourth to move away, 7-2.
They widened their lead to six, 14-8, after the Tams committed a couple of mistakes with their reception plays.
“Nagkaproblema kami sa first set dahil sa mga adjustment na ginawa nila. Buti na lang, nakapag-adjust kami pagdating ng third and fourth set. Sana, magtuluy-tuloy na sa next game,” said Bulldogs’ coach Dante Alinsunurin.
James Natividad hit 16 points for the Bulldogs, while Kim Malabunga and Madzlang Gampong had 10 each.
So far, the Bulldogs have won 15 straight games after losing their opening match in the first round to the Tams.
Wielding a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four, the Bulldogs won over the Adamson Falcons, 25–19, 25–16, 25–20, to claim the first finals berth.
