BERLIN, Germany – Fresh off their stunning 3-1 victory over Argentina, the National University men’s spikers try to make it two wins in a row when they take on Portugal in the 2025 FISU World University Games at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum here.
The Bulldogs, who were recently crowned “five-peat” champions in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, are coming off a dazzling 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13 victory against powerhouse Argentina on Saturday.
What made the victory all the more impressive was the fact that the Bulldogs played a mere 8-man rotation as four of their players (Joshua Retamar, Kim Malabunga, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, and Leo Ordiales) were serving national team duties for Alas Pilipinas.
“The guys were exhausted but ecstatic,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin Jr.
The Bulldogs, who started their campaign with back-to-back losses to World Universiade runner-up Poland on July 17 and Colombia the following day, are in the classification round to determine the 9th to 16th places.
In other results, Mapua University fell to a fast and athletic Brazil selection on opening day of basketball hostilities in Duisburg, 58-105, before dropping a 47-100 beatdown at the hands of the defending champion Czech Republic.
NU and Mapua secured their berths in the Universiade after winning the Asian University Volleyball Championships and the Asian University Basketball Championships, respectively, both organized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the official university sports body recognized by the International University Sports Federation.
Held from July 16 to July 27, 2025, across the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin, the Universiade sees the Philippines also competing in table tennis, archery, athletics, artistic gymnastics and badminton.
The delegation is backed by Bestank Corporation, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Asics, KELME Sportswear, Healthy Options, LT Group Inc., Seascape Village, Paddock Casual Jeans, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, Fronte Motors, Megaworld Corporation, Burlington Socks, Cobra Energy Drinks, and Henn Athletic Club.
The World University Games, a grand celebration of international university sports and culture, brings together over 8,000 student-athletes and officials from more than 100 countries.
