BY ABBY TORALBA
NATIONAL University whipped La Salle 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena.
The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to five with the help of open spiker Mike Buddin who shone for NU with 12 kills along with five excellent receptions, while Nico Almendras added nine markers.
In the first game, Far Eastern University boosted its hopes of reaching the next round and sent University of the Philippines on the brink of elimination with a 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 26-24 win.
“Sobrang thankful ako na kahit nagka-problema iyong isang player namin, talagang mayroon nag-punan noong posisyon ng bawat isa sa amin kaya sobrang masaya ako sa panalo naming,” Bulldogs coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“Sobrang importante nitong panalo na ito kasi alam mo naman iyong nagiging sitwasyon kapag ikaw iyong number one kasi magiging advantage ito pagdating ng quarterfinals kasi alam nila na wala kaming talo,” he added.
Kennry Malinis also scored eight points for NU, while Choi Diao and Mukaba Obed had six points apiece.
Setter Joseph Bell, who stepped up for skipper Joshua Retamar who sat out the match due to a left ankle sprain injury, tossed 11 excellent sets along with four markers.
The Bulldogs topped Pool A with an unbeaten 5-0 slate, while the Green Spikers fell to 2-3.
Noel Kampton paced the Green Spikers with nine points, while Vince Maglinao finished with eight kills.
Zhydryx Saavedra starred for the Tamaraws with 20 points on 14 attacks, four kill blocks, and two aces, while skipper Mark Calado contributed 18 points, 10 excellent receptions and four excellent digs.
