NU survives Ateneo team coached by ex-Bulldogs

NU coach Dante Alinsunurin with his ex-players Vince Mangulabnan and Peter Torres.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University needed to surpass an acid test before staving off Ateneo, 23-25, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.

After the win, NU coach Dante Alinsunurin also took time to relish going up against his ex-players Vince Mangulabnan and Peter Torres on the sidelines. Mangulabnan is now the head coach of Ateneo with Torres as one of his assistants.

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Alinsunurin felt proud to see his former players hold their own and help guide the Blue Eagles on the right direction.

READ: UAAP: NU Bulldogs’ ‘five-peat’ bid off to dominant start

NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, Jade Disquitado, and Peng Taguibolos after averting a lethargic start against Ateneo.

Alinsunurin is also proud of his former players Vince Mangulabnan and Peter Torres, the current coaches of Ateneo.#UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/f347yWNcMx

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 19, 2025

“Unang una ang tumatanda na ko kasi may players na ko na nagko-coach ngayon. Hindi ko ma-imagine pero ngayon nakita ko na. Sobrang masaya ako sa pagiging coach nila ngayon kasi pinakita naman nila sa amin kung ano yung gusto nila mangyari sa team nila at naging maganda yung performance,” said Alinsunurin after earning his 10th straight win against Ateneo dating back to April 15, 2018 in Season 80.

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Ateneo tried to force a decider, extending the fourth set until 27-all. Leo Ordiales scored down the line to regain the match point, followed by a costly attack error from Ken Batas in the back row.

Ordiales led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Peng Taguibolos had six blocks to finish with 13 points, while Obed Mukaba added 10 points off four blocks, four aces, and two attacks.

NU Bulldogs during a game against Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

Buds Buddin only played in the first two sets as he struggled with five points but Jade Disquitado sparked the team with seven points. New setter Greg Ancheta made 16 excellent sets on top of four points.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

“Thankful ako sa naging performance namin kahit ganito. Sa akin kasi, yung ginawa ng Ateneo sa amin, talagang trinabaho nila kung ano naging game plan nila. Kami talaga yung pinipilit makuha rhythm namin, buti na lang nung latter sets, nakuha na namin. Importante lang is kung ano nagiging challenges ngayon, kailangan natin matuto,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said. 

Alinsunurin, who eyes a historic “five-peat” this year, was relieved to escape with a win against his two-time champion players Mangulabnan and Torres, who gave him his first two UAAP titles in Seasons 75 and 76.

“Talagang pumunta sila dito na may mindset talaga namin sa manalo. Talagang nung bandang huli lang kami namaximize namin yung unforced errors nila and importante lang sa amin nakuha namin yung game,” he said.

“Kay Vince, Peter din at coaching staff ng Ateneo. Maganda yung naging performance nila. As dati nilang coach, natutuwa ako sa naging coaching career nila sa Ateneo. Sana lang magtuloy tuloy sila at makuha nila yung gusto nilang gawin,” he added.

Batas led Ateneo with 21 points and 21 excellent receptions only for Ateneo to slide to a 1-1 record. Jian Salarzon and Brian Castro added 12 each, as Lorenzo Gutierrez had 19 excellent sets with five points.