National U-Sta. Elena outlasted VNC-One Alicia after an energy-draining first set skirmish and went on to roll to a 33-31, 25-17, 25-18 victory to clinch the first semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.
The Nationals battled back from four, five points down in the opening set but pulled through in a test of cohesion and poise then built on their come-from-behind victory to dominate the next two and match their straight-set romp over the Santa Rosa City Lions last Saturday.
More importantly, the victory, its fourth straight, netted NU-Sta. Elena the first slot in post elims play of the seven-team tournament marking the resumption of the Sports Vision-organized men’s volleyball following a three-year hiatus.
The loss dropped the Griffins to fourth at 2-2 and kept the City Lions and the Ateneo-Fudgee Barr Eagles, toting identical 1-3 slates, in the fight for the last Final Four seat.
“It’s a big win since we’re now in the semis,” said NU-Sta. Elena coach Dante Alinsunurin. “We struggled in the first set but we were able to regroup and play our system towards the late part, so we’re happy with the result.”
He also cited Michaelo Buddin’s big 15-point game, saying: “I challenged him (Buddin) and he stepped up.”
Buddin, who didn’t see action in the NU-Sta. Elena’s victories over Army and Navy, dished out a breakout game of 10 attack points, three blocks and a couple of aces for a 15-point output that likewise earned him the best player of the game honors.
