The National University Bulldogs kicked off their V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge title defense with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 sweep against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Bulldogs hacked out a straight set victory against UAAP rivals the Tamaraws, despite head coach Dante Alinsunurin opting to sit out veterans Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras in the tournament.
“Masaya naman kami sa naging result. Nakuha naman namin yung panalo in straight sets,” Alinsunurin said. “Although nagkaroon kami ng problema sa game sa mga unforced errors namin.”
Errors by the Bulldogs allowed the Tamaraws to keep in step, but NU middle blocker Obed Mukaba took the lead during the third set, contributing two aces in a 4-0 finishing run and even providing a dig for a Leo Aringo kill.
Earlier in the day, reigning NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas overcame the absence of its star spiker Louie Ramirez to secure a 29-27, 26-24, 25-19 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
Captain JC Enarciso guided his team’s offense, while Klint Mateo played a crucial role in the end game for the Altas, who are missing Ramirez due to his participation in the Oita Miyoshi training camp in Japan.
“Sa game namin today, siyempre NCAA rin yan, sabi ko nga sa mga bata, walang kampante. Dapat sigurista sila. At the end of the day, maganda naman nilaro nila,” Altas head coach Sammy Acaylar said…
