Bulldogs end heartbreak, dethrone Eagles for UAAP men's volleyball crown

MANILA, Philippines – Maybe it's the Law of Averages kicking in. Or maybe, just maybe, the Bulldogs were just too good.

After falling short in the past three seasons, National University dethroned Ateneo de Manila University in four sets, 25-20, 31-29, 22-25, 33-31, to return atop the food chain of the men's volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Facing arguably the most lethal of squads in the Blue Eagles, the Bulldogs flashed their might. They cruised to an easy first-set victory, followed by two tentative sets before finally fending off a resilient fourth frame stand by Ateneo led by season MVP Marck Espejo and Best Setter Ish Polvorosa.

But on the cusp of reigning supreme again, and on the brink finally getting over the hump, NU leaned on Finals MVP Bryan Bagunas en route to a thrilling, clean sweep of their foes.

"Buti naman, naging maganda yung performance namin," said a still-trembling coach Dante. Alinsunurin. "Everytime na natatapos 'yung Finals lagi na lang kaming luhaan."

On Wednensday, the NU squad was still reduced to tears. Only this time, it's off a victory.

Alinsunurin was also part of the NU team that won back-to-back championships. He was also with the Bulldogs during their hearbreaking losses to the dynastic Blue Eagles.

He went on to add that his wards only tried to reprise the approach and replicate the mentality they had when they flat-out dominated the Eagles in Game One.

"Sobrang tamis na naibalik namin 'yung crown sa NU," offered Bagunas.

"'Di na kami uuwing luhaan... Or I guess, naka smile na [kami] siguro," he closed.