MANILA – National University opened its title defense with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Far Eastern University in the V-League Collegiate Challenge men's division at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Middle blocker Obed Mukaba scored two aces in a 4-0 run in the third set as the Bulldogs conquered their rivals.
"Although we had a problem in the game with our unforced errors, we are happy with the result. We got the win in straight sets," said coach Dante Alinsunurin after the match.
Alinsunurin will miss NU's games against UST (Aug. 23) and EAC (Aug. 25) because he is going to Vietnam with PVL team Choco Mucho for the VTV Cup.
Earlier, reigning NCAA champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA survived Emilio Aguinaldo College, 29-27, 26-24, 25-19.
The Altas played minus spiker Louie Ramirez, who is attending a three-week training camp with V-League club Oita Miyoshi in Japan.
"About our game today, of course, it's NCAA. I told the boys not to be complacent. They have to cautious. At the end of the day, they played well," Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar commented.
Meanwhile, on Friday, De La Salle will face the University of Santo Tomas at 10 a.m. while Perpetual will be up against San Beda University at noon.
In the women's division, the College of St. Benilde battles Lyceum of the Philippines at 2 p.m. to be followed by the match between Perpetual and San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 4 p.m. (PNA)