Bullpups shatter Jr Warriors’ reign

MANILA, Philippines - National University ended University of the East’s 11-year reign in the boys division, pulling off a come-from-behind 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-6 victory yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 high school volleyball tournament at the jampacked Adamson University gym.

In the finals series that went the  full route, the Bullpups displayed poise under pressure as they stormed back from a 1-2 set deficit behind Noel Kampton, Raymark Reyes and Allen Bacolor, who nailed the championship-clinching service ace.

NU held the twice-to-beat advantage in the title round after sweeping the double-round eliminations, but lost twice to the UE side, including last Wednesday’s 21-25, 25-19, 28-30, 25-21, 16-18 loss that set up the decider.

The victory completed a high school volleyball double for the Bullpups, who earlier won a second straight girls volleyball crown.

The rookie-laden Bullpups, who placed third last season, bucked the odds to clinch the crown with coach Ed Barroga banking heavily on his three sophomore players led by Finals MVP Reyes.

NU’s Kampton and Billie Jean Anima were named the Rookie of the Year and Best Blocker, respectively.

The Bulldogs’ victory could be the start of a new order in boys volleyball which is used to be the Junior Warriors’ domain for more than a decade.

UE’s Shaun Ledesma bagged the Season MVP and Best Scorer awards, while teammates Ralph Imperial and Marc Caballero took home the Best Setter and Best Receiver honors, respectively.

University of Santo Tomas’ Eduardo Manuel went home with the Best Receiver plum.