Michaelo Buddin introduced himself to the UAAP by leading National University to a straight sets win over Ateneo de Manila University, 25-23, 25-11, 25-20, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-foot rookie out of Palawan showed out with 13 points founded on nine attacks and four blocks laced with 11 excellent receptions and six digs.
But Buddin is setting the bar high, knowing he can do much better in their next game on Wednesday against Adamson University.
“Para sa akin kulang pa yung pinakita. Nakulangan ako sa performance na pinakita ko like sa receive, attacks, and siguro next game mas makapagadjust na ako,” said the 21-year-old outside spiker.
“Syempre first time ko makapaglaro sa MOA and noong una medyo naga-adjust pa ako. Siguro next time, medyo kapa ko na yung court at yung venue,” he added.
Buddin admitted that aside from the big venue and the big league, there was pressure to perform since hype was there in his debut, which stemmed from his preseason displays.
He first introduced himself in the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, conniving with Nico Almendras en route to the championship.
Buddin was named Finals Most Valuable Player there, before he followed it up with a Best Outside Spiker plum in the V-League Collegiate Challenge.
“Medyo may kaba po kasi syempre yung expectation ng mga tao sa akin medyo ganon (mataas),” said the prized newcomer out of Nazareth School of National University.
“Yung pressure nandoon kasi rookie pa lang naman po ako dito sa UAAP collegiate. Next time medyo mawawala yung pressure kasi mas mahahandle ko naman siguro.”
