MANILA, Philippines — Six-peat-seeking National University clinched the second seed and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Final Four after a thrilling 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26 victory over third-ranked University of Santo Tomas on Saturday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum.
Beyond securing the final playoff incentive, the win was even sweeter for the Bulldogs as it snapped a two-game skid and allowed them to enter the Final Four with renewed momentum.
Prior to the match, NU dropped back-to-back games against also-ran De La Salle University and UST to close the eliminations, forcing a playoff for the No. 2 seed against the Golden Spikers.
With the victory, the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs will carry a twice-to-beat advantage when they face UST again in the Final Four this Wednesday, April 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
NU is now gunning for an 11th straight Finals appearance and will try to seal its return when it meets the Golden Spikers for the fourth time this season.
“Siyempre, may tiwala pa rin ako sa mga players ko dahil matagal ko na silang kasama. Alam ko yung kakayahan nila. Siguro nung game kanina, gusto nilang tapusin agad sa mabilis na paraan, pero sabi ko nga, hindi kailangan maging excited. Importante lang ay mag-focus kami sa gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
NU appeared on track to close out the fourth set after consecutive attacks from Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin built a comfortable 19-15 lead. However, UST fought back with a 5-1 run, capped by two Trevor Valera attacks, to tie the set at 20-all.
Both teams traded points until the Golden Spikers reached set point following a costly Ordiales attack error, but the Bulldogs held firm in the clutch.
UST again reached set point at 25-24 off a drop ball from presumptive MVP Josh Ybañez, but NU responded with a 4-1 finishing run. The rally was capped by a Vryvin Catinsag service error and the game-winning kill block from Ordiales and Ybañez, securing the coveted playoff incentive.
“Siguro, siyempre, pagod na kasi akong matalo, kaya nung nanalo kami kanina, talagang sobrang saya ko kasi lahat ng trinabaho namin nitong mga araw na ito, talagang nagbunga talaga. Pero sabi nga namin, hindi pa tapos yung laban,” Ordiales said, who led the Bulldogs with 22 points on 19-of-44 attacks and three blocks, along with five excellent digs.
Buddin followed with 20 points on 19-of-38 kills, 21 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs, while Jade Disquitado added 10 points, 15 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs.
Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba contributed eight points on four attacks and three blocks, while team captain Peng Taguibolos had six points on four attacks and two blocks.
Greg Ancheta dished out 30 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos added 12 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
For UST, Ybañez led the Golden Spikers in the losing effort, finishing with 20 points on 19 attacks, along with 16 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs, as their four-game winning streak came to an end.
Gboy de Vega produced 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs, while Sherwin Umandal added 12 points and four excellent digs.
Valera also had 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks, while Catinsag chipped in seven points in the loss.
Team captain Dux Yambao orchestrated the offense with 29 excellent sets and added four points, while sophomore libero Edriel Alabar contributed 21 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, the other Final Four pairing pits top-seeded Far Eastern University against fourth-ranked Ateneo de Manila University on the same date and venue, with the Tamaraws holding a twice-to-beat advantage. TMT
