BY ABBY TORALBA
POWERED by the big hits of rookie Mic Buddin and veteran Nico Almendras, reigning two-time champion National University held off hard-fighting University of Santo Tomas 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11 yesterday in Game 1 of their best-of-three duel for the 85th UAAP men’s volleyball tournament crown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Despite a 10-day break after sweeping the eliminations, the Bulldogs hardly showed rust, thanks to Buddin who fired 26 points and 26 excellent receptions, while Almendras added 20 markers and seven digs.
Kennry Malinis also had 11 point, while skipper Joshua Retamar tallied 25 excellent sets along with five points for NU.
Aside from closing in on a three-peat, the Bulldogs also moved within a win of a historic unbeaten campaign– their first– if and when they get the job done in the second match set this Sunday, May 14, at the same venue.
