National University delivered a strong message as it closed the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 victory over reigning champion De La Salle University at the Paco Arena on Friday night.
The Bulldogs will thus head into the semifinals riding a two-match winning streak, finishing with a 5-2 win-loss slate. Despite tying La Salle and University of Santo Tomas for second place, NU ended up in fourth after the tiebreaker, with La Salle claiming the No. 2 spot and UST finishing third. Far Eastern University topped the standings at 6-1.
This result sets up an exciting semifinal round, where NU will face top-seeded FEU, while La Salle and UST clash in a rematch of last year’s finals. The best-of-three semis start on Wednesday.
Though outhit 8-11 in the third set, the Bulldogs capitalized on the Green Spikers' unforced errors, converting them into 14 points, which proved crucial in securing the sweep. NU played a disciplined game, committing only seven errors throughout the match.
Jan Abanilla’s booming kill halted La Salle’s comeback attempt, sparked by Rui Ventura and Yoyong Mendoza, to put the Bulldogs at match point, 24-22. The Green Spikers saved one point, but NU captain Leo Aringo delivered the final blow, smashing through La Salle’s defense to seal the victory.
"Maganda to kasi magandang opportunity na makita how capable, 'yung kakayahan ng mga second six namin. Magandang panalo 'to against La Salle, kasi sila nasa top, kami nasa down. Morale booster 'to pero sa mga bata heading into the semifinals," said NU assistant coach Jessie Lopez, who called the shots in place of head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Alinsunurin is currently on national team duty along with key players Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordinales, and Peng Taguibolos. Despite their absence, Abanilla stepped up, scoring 14 points from 13 attacks and one block, along with six digs to lead the reigning UAAP champions.
Aringo added six points, including the match-winner, while Mac Bandiola chipped in 11 points, and Obed Mukaba contributed eight markers to help lift NU.
Chris Hernandez led the charge for La Salle with 11 points, all from attacks. Former NU Nazareth School standouts MJ Fortuna and Eugene Gloria also made contributions, scoring nine and seven points, respectively.
