It didn’t come easy, though.
Winning the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball title was tougher than it looked for the National University Bulldogs.
While they swept the season, 16-0, on the way to the championship, the Bulldogs said the path was everything but easy.
“Sa totoo lang mahirap kasi bago 'yung team. Kapag exit ng mga seniors namin biglaan e. ‘Yung pag handle namin ni Nico (Almendras) sobrang hirap,” said Finals MVP Joshua Retamar after NU beat the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in Game 2, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Hailed Finals MVP and Best Setter, Retamar added the coaches made a world of difference in getting their acts together.
“Daming problemang dumating pero buti na lang mga coaches namin lagi kaming tinutulungan,” he added when asked about the pressure of leading the team this season.
UST in particular made things rough for the Bulldogs in the finals opener as the Golden Spikers extended the game to a deciding fifth set. NU ultimately prevailed in the thriller.
That’s why they couldn’t help but feel elated after the team hoisted their third straight championship.
“Sobrang saya namin kasi lahat ng pinaghirapan mula last year nagbubunga siyempre dahil ‘yun sa coaches namin, dahil sa system,” said Nico Almendras.
(GM)