NU spikers want double celebration

MANILA, Philippines — A historic double crown is here for National U’s taking.

And without an inch of hesitation, the Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs go for the kill against their Santo Tomas counterparts in a pair of Game 2s in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball finals today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The NU spikers raided the Tigers’ lair with convincing victories at the start of the best-of-three showdowns last Saturday and want no let-up in a bid to finish them off altogether for their first volleyball twin titles in school history.

The Bulldogs, who scored a 25-17, 26-24, 25-19 win to zero in a four peat, take a crack at it at 2 p.m. followed by the Lady Bulldogs’ bid for their second title in three years at 4 p.m. on the heels of a 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 Game 1 win.

NU expected a dogfight against the young Golden Tigresses, who are in their first finals appearance in five years, and the hungry Golden Spikers, back in the finals after a runner-up finish last season, but pulled off one-sided straight-set wins.

Simply put, the championship pedigree and the proven experience of the Lady Bulldogs and the Bulldogs spelled the major difference that they will utilize once again in a potential clincher.

“Ang mindset namin is kailangan tapusin na namin sa Game 2. Kailangan hindi na namin paabutin ng do-or-die pa,” said Bella Belen, the UAAP MVP when NU snapped a 65-year title drought in 2022.

It’s the same mentality for the Bulldogs, who have been the barometer of collegiate men’s volleyball with their ninth straight finals appearance and a chance for a fourth straight title.

“Naka-focus na talaga kami sa goal namin na madomina namin ‘yung volleyball dito sa UAAP,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin.