Alas Pilipinas members Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Ordiales came alive in the most crucial stretch, powering defending champion National University 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, 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 SM 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.
It was also NU’s second straight victory over FEU this Season 88. The Bulldogs previously escaped the Tamaraws in a five-set thriller, 28-26, 17-25, 24-26, 25-11, 15-8, in the second round last March 22, a result that denied FEU an outright Finals berth and a rare elimination-round sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Lagi ko naman silang rineremind sa ginagawa at kung nasaan sila at kung ano ang kakayahan nila. As long as naglalaro kami para tumulong sa team, talagang sinasabi namin sa kanila na mag-perform sila and kung ano ‘man yung nagiging experience nila sa labas, i-share nila. Through leadership na lang din talaga kaya ito yung naging resulta ng game namin,” 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.
“Pagka-Finals na kasi, yung mindset kasi namin ay wala na next week. Kumbaga, ito na yung pinakadulo ng season. Kaya siguro yung mindset namin ay wala nang excuse. Talagang all out kung all out. Kumbaga, ito yung pinaghandaan namin ng isang taon kaya talagang chinecherish namin yung moment,” Ordiales said, who powered NU with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks, along with four excellent digs.
Disquitado delivered an all-around performance with 21-of-42 kills, 20 excellent receptions, and nine excellent digs, while Buddin added 20 points on 17 attacks and three blocks, along with 18 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Taguibolos chipped in 12 points on seven attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba added nine points on five attacks, three blocks, and one ace.
Greg Ancheta orchestrated the offense with 31 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos anchored the floor defense with 12 excellent receptions and six excellent 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, May 9, at the same Pasay venue.
NU is eyeing its eighth overall title, all under Alinsunurin.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
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 decade-long UAAP men’s volleyball title drought alive.
Saavedra paced FEU with 20 points on 16-of-50 attack efficiency, two blocks, and two aces, while Espartero tallied 14 points and 20 excellent receptions.
Bituin also finished with 14 points, alongside 19 excellent receptions and three excellent digs, while Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala contributed 10 points on five attacks and five blocks.
Team captain Ariel Cacao dished out 28 excellent sets, while Vennie Ceballos added 16 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
