ALAS Pilipinas members Michaelo “Buds” Buddin, Jade Disquitado and Leo Ordiales came alive in the most crucial stretch, powering defending champion National University (NU) to the cusp of extending its UAAP men’s volleyball dominance to six consecutive seasons.
The Bulldogs recovered from a shaky start, making the necessary adjustments down the stretch to outlast Far Eastern University (FEU), 21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8, and escape Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The hard-fought comeback win in front of 7,498 fans not only moved NU closer to its eighth UAAP men’s volleyball championship but also put the Bulldogs on the brink of completing a historic six-peat in the Final Four era.
“I always remind them of what they’re doing, where they are and what they’re capable of. As long as we’re playing to help the team, we’re really telling them to perform and whatever experience they have outside, they share it. It’s really through leadership that this is the result of our game,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
What was expected to be a tight affair in the decisive fifth set turned into a showcase of NU’s championship poise and experience forged through international exposure.
The Bulldogs raced to an early 7-1 lead in the fifth frame and never looked back, building the cushion behind two separate blocks from Buddin and Peng Taguibolos on Dryx Saavedra, a Mikko Espartero service error and another attack miscue from Saavedra.
FEU cut the deficit to just three, 10-7, behind consecutive hits from Amet Bituin, Espartero and Saavedra, but NU’s blistering start proved too much to overcome.
A block by Taguibolos on Espartero and a backrow attack from Disquitado pushed the Bulldogs to match point, before a quick hit by Taguibolos sealed the win in two hours and one minute, giving NU a 1-0 series lead.
The Tamaraws appeared to take control after a comfortable 25-21 third set victory, but the Bulldogs showed composure and grit in the fourth behind the steady efforts of Buddin, Ordiales, Disquitado and Taguibolos.
Ordiales powered NU with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, along with four digs.
Disquitado delivered an all-around performance with 21-of-42 kills, 20 receptions and nine digs, while Buddin added 20 points.
Taguibolos chipped in 12 points while Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba added nine points. Greg Ancheta orchestrated the offense with 31 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos anchored the floor defense with 12 receptions and six digs.
Now just one win away from history, the Bulldogs will look to close out the series in Game 2 at 12 noon on Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
NU is eyeing its eighth overall title, all under Alinsunurin.
FEU, meanwhile, hopes to draw inspiration from its Season 87 Finals heartbreak against the same opponent as it fights for survival. The Tamaraws now face a win-or-go-home scenario to keep their bid of ending a decadelong UAAP men’s volleyball title drought alive.
Saavedra paced FEU with 20 points while Espartero tallied 14 points. Bituin also finished with 14 points while Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala contributed 10 points. Team captain Ariel Cacao dished out 28 excellent sets.
