NU Bulldogs Flip the Switch, Bury Letran in V-League Game 1

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National University flipped the switch and buried Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-19, 25-14, 25-23, in Game 1 of the V-League Collegiate Challenge semifinals on Wednesday, September 30, at the Playtime FilOil Centre. The Bulldogs are now one win from the Finals.

NU can complete the sweep on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. A win would send the Bulldogs back to the Finals for the second time since the league’s return in 2022.

Jade Disquitado led NU with 18 points as the Bulldogs moved one win from the V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals. [PVL Images]

NU’s Net Defense Smothers Letran in V-League Semifinals

The Bulldogs made their intentions known from the get-go, leaning on their net defense to force the Knights into second-guessing their attacks. NU finished with 13 blocks, and the approach paid off in the first two sets.

Letran had handed NU one of its two preliminary-round defeats, but this time the Bulldogs took control of the series early. Greg Ancheta found scoring options in Luke Macatangay and Jade Disquitado as NU built a 2-0 lead.

Longtime head coach Dante Alinsunurin said the mindset was different this time. “Siguro ‘yung difference is pumunta kami rito na gusto naming manalo talaga.”

The first meeting between the teams was a different story. “Nung unang nakalaban namin sila, naglaro lang kami, kasi nga ‘yung coach doon is part rin ng coaching staff namin.”

Disquitado Leads NU as Lardizabal Stands Alone for Letran

Alas Pilipinas upstart Jade Disquitado paced the reigning six-peat UAAP champions with 18 points, built on 16 attacks and two blocks. Obed Mukaba was solid at the net with four blocks and four kills.

Mukaba also added the team’s lone service ace to finish with nine points. RK Medino chipped in 12 points, while Macatangay added 10.

Letran, now led by Jessie Lopez, found some success at the net with a similar system. Lopez is a longtime deputy to Alinsunurin on the NU coaching staff, but the Knights could not muster enough energy or offense to overcome their deficits.

The Knights showed more fight in the third set, but NU held firm down the stretch. Captain Dave Lardizabal led Letran with 17 points, but he was the lone Knight in double figures.