Bulldogs topple Golden Spikers for 4th straight win

THE five-peat seeking NU Bulldogs bit the UST Golden Spikers, 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 29-27, to claim their fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Rookie setter Jeffe Gallego dished out 21 excellent sets and logged four points in the rematch of last year's finalists as the Bulldogs elevated to the league's second-best record of a 6-1 slate.

Leo Aringo also came through with 13 points including the match-clinching block against reigning MVP Josh Ybañez in the fourth set.

Aringo added seven digs to his name while first-time starter Jade Disquitado produced 12 points and 16 receptions.

Michaelo Buddin smashed 11 points and Peng Taguibolos hammered 10 for NU, which finally beat UST in an elimination round game for the first time since Season 85.

"I'm grateful for my team's response every time we face challenges," said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

"In the first set, we really struggled with our reception, but we just stayed patient. It was important for us to build momentum, and by the second set, things started to go our way."

The Bulldogs mettle got tested in the fourth frame after squandering a 24-20 advantage and the Golden Spikers even claiming two match points.

NU saved those both to tie the count at 27 before Taguibolos banged a quick attack and Aringo denied Ybañez's for the win.

Sliding back to his normal position after being used as a service specialist last timeout, Ybañez led the Golden Spikers with 17 points on an efficient 16-of-29 attacks.

Jay Rack Dela Noche chipped in 16 points for UST which dropped to 4-3, tied with Ateneo in fourth place.

In the other men's match, the UP Fighting Maroons ended their five-game skid after outplaying the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 20-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20.

UP rose to 2-5 for sixth place while Adamson dropped to its fourth straight defeat and to a 1-6 record, seventh in the 8-team league.

At press time on Sunday afternoon, the women's matches featuring the Adamson Lady Falcons against the UP Fighting Maroons and the NU Lady Bulldogs against the UST Golden Tigresses were still being played.