The Philippines, represented by reigning UAAP men’s champion National University, overcame a second set slide to beat Malaysia, 25-14, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, and clinch a semifinal berth Wednesday in the 19th ASEAN University Games volleyball tournament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.
Angelo Almendras nailed a huge kill to give the Filipinos at 2-1 set lead.
Bryan Bagunas and Almendras then conspired in the fourth set charge to help the Philippines in sweeping Pool A.
The Filipinos will go up against the No. 2 team in Pool B in the semifinals slated Thursday. Indonesia and Singapore, both sporting 0-1 records, are vying for the other semis berth in their bracket.
The Philippines earlier shocked titleholder Thailand, 30-28, 25-23, 25-19, last Sunday.
With its second straight loss, the Malaysians were relegated to the battle for fifth and sixth slots.
Host Myanmar beat Singapore, 25-13, 25-14, 25-11, Tuesday to become the top Pool B team with a 2-0 card. The Burmese will face the Thais, who placed second in Pool A with a 1-1 slate, in the other semifinal pairing.
Meanwhile, Adamson University handed National University its first loss with a narrow 62-59 win in the UAAP Season 81 juniors’ basketball tournament Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Adrian Manlapaz foiled Gerry Abadiano’s potential game-tying triple – his fourth block of the game – as the Baby Falcons ended the Bullpups’ five-game winning run.
Joem Sabandal had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Manlapaz came with 11 points and 14 rebounds for Adamson University.
Gerry Abadiano had 17 points for NU, which fell to 5-1 heading into its Finals’ rematch with Ateneo, which overwhelmed University of the East, 84-62, this weekend before the league enters its annual Christmas break.
Kai Sotto was at his usual best with 25 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks as the Blue Eaglets moved in a tie with the Bullpups in first place at 5-1.
In other games, Far Eastern University-Diliman routed UP Integrated School, 102-72, while University of Santo Tomas turned back De La Salle-Zobel, 63-56.
Xyrus Torres fired a career-high 27 points built on six triples, while RJ Abarrientos added 14 points, six assists and four rebounds for the Baby Tamaraws, who are now at 4-2 along with the Baby Falcons in joint third.
Rookie Mark Nonoy had another all-around game with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Bismarck Lina posted his own 10-point, 12-rebound double-double effort as the Tiger Cubs evened their record at 3-3.