National University pulled through in a tense-filled second set duel and fashioned out a 25-18, 33-31, 25-14 victory over Far Eastern U in their sudden death yesterday to arrange a showdown with UST for the men’s crown in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Bryan Bagunas took charge with 23 points and 18 excellent receptions while Kim Malabunga and Francis Saura combined for 23 hits as the top seeded Bulldogs recovered in the last two games to frustrate the Tams, who surprised the former in the Game One of their best-of-three semis.
Game One of the men’s best-of-three final is set on Sunday.
UST took the first finals berth with a sweep over Adamson.
After dominating the Tams in the first set, the Bulldogs leaned on Bagunas in the stretch of the second frame to thwart their rivals then reasserted their might in the next to complete the straight-set victory.
The Bulldogs had to save a couple of set advantages but also yielded a few in their thrilling second set duel. But Bagunas stepped up and came through with a clutch hit at the middle to shove NU to a 32-31 lead then hammered in a crosscourt hit to close out the frame.
Redijohn Paler fired 15 hits for the Tams, who also drew a combined 15-point output from JP Bugaoan and Mark Calado.
FEU will face Adamson in their side of the playoff for third, also on Sunday.