NU Bulldogs’ Leo Aringo during a game against Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University opened its “five-peat” campaign with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 rout of Final Four rival La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
New heroes emerged for the Bulldogs as they started the post-Nico Almendras and Owa Retamar era with Leo Aringo leading the charge with 20 points and 15 receptions and Greg Ancheta pacing the squad with 14 excellent sets in the game that lasted just 74 minutes.
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“Sabi ko nga mag-perform lang siya kasi sa totoo, ‘yung kailangan niyang punan is talagang sobrang laki para sa iniwan ni Owa. Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi mo naman kailangan punan [agad]. Trabahuhin mo everyday ‘yung gusto nating mangyari, sumunod ka lang, and first game niya, sobrang happy ako sa result ng ginagawa niya,” said Alinsunurin of his new main setter.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin after starting their “drive for five” with a big win. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PRmnYoWtL7
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 16, 2025
Alas Pilipinas star Buds Buddin also shone with 18 points and 13 receptions, while his national squad teammate Leo Ordiales made an impressive UAAP debut with nine points.
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“Yung maturity inside and outside the court. Talagang si coach Angiolino Frigoni grabe ‘yung tinuturo sa amin. Halos same ng sistema sa NU medyo ano lang siya sa mga high hands. Siguro nadadala namin ‘yung pagiging mature sa court na nashi-share namin sa mga bata,” said Buddin, who was a two-time Best Outside Hitter in Alas’ back-to-back bronze medal finishes in the SEA V.League.
Ordiales said his stint with the national team also prepared him for his chance to play for the Bulldogs after spending the past years in the school’s training pool.
“Sobrang saya dahil nakalaro na ako sa UAAP. Eto, first time ko maglaro sa MOA. Sobrang saya ko po at sana magtuloy tuloy ‘yung panalo namin,” Ordiales said. “[Dahil sa Alas] nadagdagan ‘yung experience namin and parang lumawak ‘yung idea namin sa volleyball.”
La Salle struggled against the four-peat champions as Yoyong Mendoza was its lone double-digit scorer with 10 points. Alas player Noel Kampton had nine points and nine receptions.
READ: NU Bulldogs beat UST, complete UAAP volleyball ‘four-peat’
Meanwhile, former NU player Vince Mangulabnan made a winning debut as Ateneo coach, steering the Blue Eagles to a 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 win over the Adamson Falcons.
Mangulabnan, the former setter of Alinsunurin’s Bulldogs, turned to Ken Batas, who erupted for 24 points off 17 attacks, five blocks, and two aces for the Blue Eagles.
“Sobrang saya kasi hindi ko na-imagine dati na kung sino ‘yung rival at lagi kong nakakalaban dati, doon pala ako magco-coach. I just want to showcase ‘yung [tinuro] sa akin ng naging coaches ko at ng NU at para ma-share ko sa iba,” said the new Ateneop coach. “Marami rin akong natutunan sa loob ng Ateneo na minix ko sa mga past experiences ko na ituturo ko ngayon sa mga players ko.”
Amil Pacinio backstopped Batas with 18 points, while Jian Salarzon and Jetlee Gopio added 11 and 10 points, respectively. New Ateneo setter Lorenzo Gutierrez shined in his UAAP debut with 19 excellent sets on top of five points aces, as libero captain Lance de Castro had 20 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Mangulabnan battles his former coach and alma mater NU on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
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“Marami pa kami kailangan ayusin, lalo na sa upcoming game namin against NU. Itong game na ito kasi nanalo kami dahil sa mga players talaga. Sumunod lang sila sa gusto mangyari ng coaches and nagadjust sila in-game talaga na marami kaming hindi nakikita ng mga coaches, kaya mas nakikita nila. Yung win na ito, ginusto talaga nila ito,” Mangulabnan said.
Adamson leaned on Marc Paulino’s 13-point effort. Ahmed Tahiluddin added 10 points as they take on La Salle on Saturday next week.
