Martin San Diego | FCF
It’s not the score that matters, but how the set is finished.
Defending champions National University (NU) simply played steady volleyball in the endgame, using their experience and resources to trounce the inexperienced Ateneo de Manila University, 24-22, 21-25, 25-23, 27-25 to successfully defend the men’s volleyball crown of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Despite getting a scare off a gritty Blue Eagles team, the Bulldogs relied on veterans Ben Inaudito and Peter Torres in the penultimate fourth set to ward off the upset-hungry first-time finalists.
With championship point at hand, 24-21, super rookie Marck Espejo spiked hard from behind off a combination play in a last ditch effort.
The Bulldogs, obviously anxious in ending the finals series, committed two errors, with an out-of-bounds spike by Fauzi Ismail and a net interference by Torres as Ateneo suddenly tied the set at 24.
Torres would not be denied, connecting on a high-leaping running spike against Espejo’s defense.
Still, Ismail would commit another error, this time a netball off a spike, but Inaudito retaliated for the Bulldogs off a beautiful combination play in the middle for championship point three.
Espejo ultimately ran out of gas, netting an open spike after a long rally to end the men’s volleyball season.
“It’s so hard to defend the title especially since all the teams are up against us because they all have improved from last year. This Ateneo team is so hard to beat because they are young and strong, but we have prepared for this series and although we’re still imperfect because of a lot of errors, we just used our experience to end sets,” explained team captain Inaudito, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The veteran utility spiker had six attacks and five blocks while three other Bulldogs scored in double figures led by Jan Paglinawan with 15 points.
The Blue Eagles, first-time finalists in the Final Four era, were led by freshman Espejo with 16 attacks, three aces, and one block. He is set to be named Season MVP and Rookie of the Year–a first in UAAP men’s volleyball history.
Martin San Diego | FCF
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