Bulldogs smother Generals, sweep elims

MANILA, Philippines - National U cut NCAA champion Emilio Aguinaldo College down to size with its power game and solid blocking and reception, scoring a 25-20, 25-21, 27-25 victory to sweep Group A in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Bulldogs squandered a 22-18 lead in the third set but pounced on the Generals’ service error and net violation at endgame to pound out the victory in a duel of unbeaten teams. NU thus wrapped up its elims assignment with a 5-0 card while EAC settled for a 4-1 slate.

Earlier, Far Eastern U fought back from a fourth set meltdown and outlasted Mapua in the decider to pull off a 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-9 victory and clinch the last quarterfinal berth in Group A of the two-division tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

The Tams finished the single round robin elims with a 2-3 card as they joined the Generals, the Bulldogs and the NCBA Wildcats in the quarters along with the top 4 finishers in Group B.

MIT closed out with a 1-4 card.

FEU team captain Greg Dolor came away with 18 hits, including crucial attacks in the decider while Jeric Gacutan and Joshua Barrica tossed in 13 markers apiece and Peter Quiel added 11 points.

“He made the key plays in the final set,” said FEU coach Joseph Santos, referring to the power-hitting Dolor, member of the national team that competed in the Asian U-23 in Myanmar last May.

Meanwhile, reigning NCAA MVP Howard Mojica fired away kills from the front and back rows to rally EAC to 22-22, 24-24 and 25-25 counts. But Aljon Barbuco served long on EAC’s turn and the Bulldogs wrapped up the match when the Generals committed a violation while trying to set up their attack.