While National University had been peaking at the right time with five consecutive wins, the “five-peat”-seeking Bulldogs were struck by the injury bug ahead of their final preliminary match.
Senior Buds Buddin will be out indefinitely due to a right ankle sprain.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin didn’t have to look far for a replacement for Buddin, who tallied 197 points in 13 elimination matches.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Jade Disquitado stepped up in a big way during NU’s four-set victory over last year’s Finals rival, the University of Santo Tomas.
Disquitado, who had also powered the Bulldogs to a first-round win against the Golden Spikers with 12 points and 16 excellent receptions, rose to the occasion. He put up 23 points on 22-of-38 attack efficiency, 16 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs.
His stellar performance helped NU complete a season sweep of UST in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Ngayon, mas nag-mature ako sa loob ng court. Iniisip ko na kasi yung mga ginagawa ko ‘eh. Basta, masaya ako na nananalo kami ngayon at hindi pa naman tapos ‘eh, meron pa namang Final Four. Pag-iigihan ko pa ng mabuti para maabot yung goal namin,” said Disquitado postgame.
“Yung panalo na ito, madadala namin ito sa pagpasok namin ng Final Four. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin sana yung ganito na laruan namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Head coach Alinsunurin was especially proud of how Disquitado confidently took on the challenge, not only as the Bulldogs’ offensive weapon but also as a leader on the court alongside team captain Leo Aringo.
“The more is yung team namin na maraming kakompitensya sa posisyon, the more na umaangat kami. Nabigyan siya ng challenge today noong hindi namin pinasok si Buddin, pero nag-respond agad siya. Sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance niya kasi sabi ko nga doon sa ginawa niya, hindi niya minadali pero trinabaho niya paunti-unti,” Alinsunurin shared.
Eager to step up for the injured Buddin — whose status for the semifinals remains uncertain — Disquitado vowed to carry this momentum into their highly anticipated Final Four clash against the same team they’ve faced in the last two UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals.
Disquitado’s motivation goes beyond simply filling the void left by Buddin. It also comes from NU’s desire to avoid the same fate as UST in Season 86.
The Golden Spikers completed an elimination sweep of the Bulldogs last season, but NU recovered just in time for the championship showdown, sweeping their way to a fourth consecutive title.
This season, NU and UST will meet again in the postseason, but the Bulldogs will enter the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Yung magiging mindset namin is mas pag-iigihan ko pa yung sinimulan ko sa ensayo,” Disquitado said.
“Sisipagan ko pa tsaka makikinig lang ako sa mga coaches kung ano ‘man papagawin nila sa akin. Susunod lang ako sa sistema para hindi mangyari sa amin yung nangyari sa UST.”
#WATCH: NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin is all smiles as Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordiales, and the Bulldogs find their rhythm just in time for the #UAAPSeason87 Final Four 🏐
📹 Justin Valencia/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/u2ZDHZMDTe
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 27, 2025
