FIRST BITE: Bulldogs notch first win in FISU World University Games after defeating Argentina

John Aldrin Cullat 

Five-time UAAP men’s volleyball champion National University Bulldogs secured their first win with a 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13 triumph over Argentina in the men’s volleyball preliminaries of the 2025 FISU World University Games on Saturday, at Max-Schmeling Halle in Germany, July 19.

Photo Courtesy of One Sports

Mac Arvin Bandola led the Bulldogs with 24 points built on 22 attacks and two aces, while Leo Aringo Jr. contributed 17 markers as the Philippines bounced back from back-to-back losses to powerhouses Poland and Colombia.

The Bulldogs started strong as Bandola and Aringo Jr., the team’s twin towers, combined for nine points in the opening frame to help neutralize Argentina’s outside hitter Santino Bonora, who delivered two crucial lead-changing attacks. 

The UAAP standouts held onto the momentum in the second set, with Herbert Egger anchoring the net defense and Jenngerard Diao sealing the frame with an ace for a 2-0 lead.

Argentina mounted a comeback in the third set, stringing together a 3-0 rally that the Philippines couldn’t overturn, extending the match in four sets.

But the Bulldogs stormed back in the fourth, ballooning the lead to as much as 12 points with Diao and Aringo Jr. taking over to close the match.

Argentina’s efforts were not enough to overcome the Filipinos’ grit, as team captain Tomas Faggiano tallied 13 points from 10 attacks and three blocks, while Bonora added 10.

With the victory, the Philippines wrapped up its Pool C campaign with a 1-2 record and will move on to the classification round for 9th to 16th place.