THE NAZARETH School of National University Bullpups outmuscled the UST Junior Tiger Spikers in a tight 25-22, 12-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9 thriller in the UAAP Season 80 boys’ volleyball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan Sunday.
“Natalo lang kami sa pag-receive, nawalan kami ng receiving,” UST assistant coach Rommel Abella said.
NU capitalized on the Junior Spikers’ seven errors in the fifth frame before Diogenes Poquita iced the match with a down-the-line hit.
The Junior Spikers led 22-20 late in the fourth set and a UST block highlighted a three-point spurt to force a deciding set, 25-21.
The Bullpups pulled away in the middle of the third canto after an 8-3 run as Poquito scored on a down-the-line attack, 25-19.
UST commanded a 13-2 run in the second frame, capped by team captain Lorenz Señoron’s block to equalize, 25-12.
NU drew first blood after a UST net error.
NU’s Mac Arvin Bandola reaped 11 markers to lead the Bullpups.
Señoron had 12 points for UST.
The Junior Spikers ended the first round of the tournament with a 5-2 record for second place.
