For National University men’s volleyball team, winning the 2018 ASEAN University Games was not enough.
“Sabi namin, kailangan sa Pilipinas, mag-dominate din kami. Gawan namin ng paraan para makuha pa rin yung title,” said skipper Bryan Bagunas, referring to their foreign stint where they wore the national colors last December in Myanmar.
True to their promise, the Bulldogs persevered and retained their UAAP men’s volleyball crown with a finals sweep over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
NU prevailed, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23, 25-19, in Game 2 of their best-of-three series to cement its status as the newest power in men’s volleyball side.
The Bulldogs, however, didn’t start with a bang in their campaign despite their international triumph accompanied by a preseason training stint in Japan. They lost to the Tamaraws in straight sets on opening day.
For NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, it was a wakeup call and his boys responded to his challenge.
“Nagising kami dun sa unang talo namin sa FEU. Yung mga players ko, nagsipag sa ensayo, pinakita nila yung dedication nila kaya masaya ako na hanggang finals, paangat nang paangat yung laro nila,” said Alinsunurin. (My players worked hard and showed their dedication throughout the season after that loss.) (Kristel Satumbaga)
