National University in the UAAP Season 87 mens volleyball Final 4 vs. University of Santo Tomas. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — National University's hopes of a five-peat in UAAP men's volleyball remain alive.
The Bulldogs are set to face Far Eastern University in the Season 87 Finals after it took down University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, during their do-or-die Final 4 faceoff on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Leo Ordiales led the Jhocson-based hitters, putting up 20 points and two digs, Jade Disquitado finished with a 14-point, 11-reception outing, while Buds Buddin returned after suffering a right ankle injury with seven markers, nine receptions, and two digs.
"Sobrang thankful ako sa binigay na panalo sa akin ng players ko," said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin after the game.
"Ang ganda ng ginawa namin. Kaya siguro namin nakuha yung game na ito siguro dahil sa pagplano talaga kung ano dapat yung gawin, especially sa matchups talaga since doon kami nagkaproblema nung first game namin against UST," he added.
National U and the Tamaraws will now battle for the men's championship in their Best-of-3 series which opens on Sunday, May 11, 1:00 p.m., still at the Big Dome.
Aside from the victory, this is also the Bulldogs' 10th straight finals appearance. They tied the mark set by the De La Salle Lady Spikers, who made 10 straight finals appearances in the women's division from Seasons 71 to 80 (2009-2018).
The Bulldogs, sans the pandemic-cancelled seasons, have either won the title or reached the Finals since 2013, and they achieved this all thanks to the tough stance that they showed against UST.
Down 23-21 in the second as the Golden Spikers were threatening to steal that frame, the Bulldogs scored four straight points, three of which being an off-the-block hit from Buddin, a Choi Diao block on Josh Ybañez, and an attack error from Gboy De Vega.
This not only allowed NU to be ahead, 2-0, but they also banked on this momentum to overcome another close encounter with UST in the third.
Both teams were tied again at 23 in the eventual last set, but Buddin and Disquitado took charge by hitting the game-sealing kills.
This defeat, in turn, spoiled the Golden Spikers' dream of returning to the Finals for the third straight season. They will now settle for third place for the first time since Season 77 in 2015.
Ybañez paced UST with 13 points, 13 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs, while De Vega had 11 markers and 16 receptions.