NU reclaims UAAP Men's Volleyball crown

The National University Bulldogs are once again kings of UAAP Volleyball.

 

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Apr 29, 2018 at 5:46pm PDT

Relying on their balanced attack, the Blue and Gold squad defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles Wednesday, in four hard-fought sets, on Game 2 of the best of 3 series. The final score was 25-20, 31-29, 22-25, 33-31.

The Bulldogs had fewer attack points than Ateneo, 58-50, but made up for it with a 19-11 advantage in blocks. They also forced Ateneo to 39 errors while committing just 34.

Bryan Bagunas peppered the Ateneo defense with 22 big points off 17 kills, while James Natividad added 18 with 15 attack points. Kim Malabunga rounded up the Bulldogs in double figures with 10.

Meanwhile, Season 80 MVP Marck Espejo, led the Katipunan-based squad with 30 points. off 26 kills and four blocks, while Ron Medalla tallied 16. Gian Glorioso, meanwhile, scored 10.

Espejo will end his career as the five-time league MVP, starting with winning it and the Rookie of the Year prize in Season 76. Espejo was named Best Attacker from Seasons 77 to 80, and Best Scorer in Seasons 79 and 80. He also won the Best Server award twice, in Seasons 78 and 80.

The Bulldogs claimed the UAAP Season 80 crown after three straight years of finishing silver and stopped a four-peat for the Eagles. — with reports from Renee Fopalan/LA, GMA News