Volleyball: National U turns back Letran for V-League finals berth

MANILA — National University is headed to the finals of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge after powering past Colegio de San Juan de Letran in straight sets on Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Forced into a do-or-die game by the Knights, the Bulldogs showcased their quality in a 25-14, 25-23, 25-20 triumph. 

The victory sent NU back to the V-League Collegiate Challenge championship round for the first time since its title run in 2022.

“Sa’kin, na-challenge namin sila after nung game namin kahapon,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Kailangan talaga kung ano ‘yung mga kailangan naming gawin na adjustments, magawa namin today.”

“‘Yung pagpunta nila dito, talagang gusto nilang kunin ‘yung game. Naka-mindset sila na kailangan manalo ngayong araw na ‘to.”

Rookie RK Medino led NU with 17 points, all coming from attacks, as he shouldered the scoring load in the absence of top stars Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, and Peng Taguibolos, who had just wrapped up their campaign with Alas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Jade Disquitado added 13 points and five excellent receptions, while Luke Macatangcay chipped in 10 points. Choi Diao and Obed Mukaba also contributed seven and six points, respectively.

Greg Ancheta orchestrated NU’s offense with 22 excellent sets, while also scoring three points as the Bulldogs needed just 73 minutes to dispatch the hard-fighting Knights.

NU dominated across all scoring categories, finishing with a 41-35 edge in attacks, a 12-7 advantage in blocks, and a 3-2 lead in aces. The Bulldogs also capitalized on Letran’s 19 errors while limiting their own miscues to just 13.

It was a vengeful result for the Bulldogs, after the Knights had stunned them 22-25, 25-23, 29-27, 13-25, 20-18 in Game 2 on Saturday. 

The Finals will pit NU against rival Far Eastern University, renewing a familiar rivalry between the two schools after they faced off in the last two UAAP Finals. Game 1 is set for Friday.

Meanwhile, Dave Lardizabal paced Letran with 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Jasper Afgao and Vince Himzon added 10 and nine points, respectively, in the defeat.

The Knights will take on College of Saint Benilde in the battle for third place, also on Friday.