The Sta. Elena-National University Bulldogs pulled off a stunning 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, and 15-8 victory over the Cignal HD Spikers in a one-game finale to clinch the Spikers’ Turf crown on Friday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Rookie Jade Disquitado spearheaded the offense with a career-high of 34 points, built on 31 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace, to be named Finals Most Valuable Player for the Bulldogs.
“Ayaw ko po sayangin ‘yung tiwalang binigay sa akin ni coach (Dante Alinsunurin),” said Disquitado. “Kaya nung binigyan ako ng opportunity na makalaro, ibinigay ko talaga ‘yung best ko.”
Disquitado set the tone for the Bulldogs with a 6-2 start in the fifth set before Nico Almendras took charge and extended the lead to 13-8 before Disquitado put NU at match point with a powerful hit.
Leo Aringo then nailed the championship-clinching block on HD Spikers’ Jau Umandal to deny them from completing a grand slam and sweeping the tournament.
“Before we played this game, I told my players that we should end this year as a champion,” said Alinsunurin. “Credits to my players; they really worked hard to find a solution to our problems, even though we still struggled in this championship game.”
The HD Spikers, which have won all of their 10 games this conference prior to the loss to the Bulldogs in the finals, settled for silver, with Umandal finishing with 23 points and 25 receptions.
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