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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Nationals storm way to semis, rip Griffins

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National U-Sta. Elena got the sap out of VNC-One Alicia after an energy-draining first set skirmish and went on to roll to a 33-31, 25-17, 25-18 victory to clinch the first semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

NU’s Michaelo Buddin smashes one in against the defense of VNC-One Alicia in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Tuesday.

The Nationals battled back from four, five points down in the opening set but pulled through in a test of cohesion and poise then built on their come-from-behind victory to dominate the next two and match their straight-set romp over the Santa Rosa City Lions last Saturday.

More importantly, the victory, its fourth straight, netted NU-Sta. Elena the first slot in post elims play of the seven-team tournament marking the resumption of the Sports Vision-organized men’s volleyball following a three-year hiatus.

The loss dropped the Griffins to fourth at 2-2 and kept the City Lions and the Ateneo-Fudgee Barr Eagles, toting identical 1-3 slates, in the fight for the last Final Four seat.

“It’s a big win since we’re now in the semis,” said NU-Sta. Elena coach Dante Alinsunurin. “We struggled in the first set but we were able to regroup and play our system towards the late part, so we’re happy with the result.”

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He also cited Michaelo Buddin’s big 15-point game, saying: “I challenged him (Buddin) and he stepped up.”

Buddin, who didn’t see action in the NU-Sta. Elena’s victories over Army and Navy, dished out a breakout game of 10 attack points, three blocks and a couple of aces for a 15-point output that likewise earned him the best player of the game honors.

Ken Malinis, however, topscored for NU-Sta. Elena with 16 attack points while Nico Almendras added nine points and Obed Mukaba, Joshua Retamar and Gerard Diao combined for 14 points.

Kevin Montemayor unloaded 14 points while Kim Malabunga returned from an ankle injury with an 11-point game while Ben San Andres produced nine points for VNC, which showed a lot of promise in the early going but cracked when the Nationals pressed their charge late in the first set.

The Nationals struggled in the opener marked by long exchanges of kills and quick attacks but marred by service miscues, the last courtesy of Mukaba that enabled the Griffins to force a 30-all count.

After another trade of points, Diao banged in a quick hit to shove Sta. Elena back in the lead and after a fine defensive stance, the Nationals went to Malinis, who unleashed his own power hit against two VNC defenders that was actually blocked but the ball spun to the right and dropped on the Griffins’ court.

Sta. Elena then raced to a 16-10 lead in the second set and after VNC racked up three straight points to close in, the Nationals went on an attack mode again, pouring in nine points while holding their disorganized rivals to just four.

Sta. Elena finished with 45 attack points, 10 more than VNC, scored seven kill blocks against its rival’s four and delivered five aces, four more than the Griffins.

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