It turns out that a little bit of fun was all National University needed to finally get its groove back in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Fueled by their electrifying in-game celebrations, the Bulldogs rediscovered their championship form and handed league-leading Far Eastern University its first loss of the tournament, 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 15-9, on Sunday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Noticing that the team had been stiff over their last couple of games, Michaelo Buddin and Leo Ordiales took it upon themselves to inject energy and loosen up the squad, leading the charge with their animated celebrations and infectious enthusiasm early in the match.
“Para sa akin kasi, for the past few games, ramdam namin ‘yung bigat kapag masyado kaming tahimik. Kami ni Leo, kahapon pa lang nag-decide na kami na once na nasa loob kaming dalawa, kami ‘yung magsisimula ng energy,” said Buddin.
“Kahapon pa lang, sinimulan na namin maging hyper sa training. Kaya nung pinasok si Toto, sabi ko, “Tara, To! Simulan na natin!” Hanggang sa nagsayaw-sayaw na kami. Pero at the same time, andun pa rin ‘yung focus namin.”
With Buddin and Ordiales setting the tone, the Bulldogs turned the final frame into a spectacle of fiery celebrations.
Obed Mukaba repeatedly threw up the “Ice in My Veins” celebration and even joined Ordiales in striking an Archer stance, while Peng Taguibolos flexed his muscles and hit a PJ Washington pose, all feeding off the team’s surging momentum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Leo Aringo unleashed a primal scream, veins in his neck nearly bursting, as Buddin and the rest of the squad pumped their fists into the air, savoring every hard-earned point.
“Sabi ko lang din sa sarili ko, Todo-todo na ‘to, bahala na,’ kasi tapos na rin eh. Ayun, plano talaga namin ni Buds ‘yun kahapon pa lang,” added Ordiales.
There was no stopping the energized NU from there, as they surged to a commanding 9-2 start, leaving the deflated Tamaraws side struggling to respond.
To put the finishing touch, Ordiales hammered the game-clinching down-the-line hit before flashing a finger wag and sweeping-the-floor gesture — making it clear that there would be no elimination-round sweep this season after dealing FEU its first loss in 10 games.
“Gumanda ‘yung laro namin, dun talaga nag-start eh. Kaya nga nung medyo nagse-celebrate na sila, kahit medyo na-off ako sa sitwasyon, nakapikit na lang ako,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Di ko na lang sila tinitignan — ang importante, nagtutuloy-tuloy ang ginagawa nila at nagtutuloy-tuloy ang puntos namin.”
Alinsunurin pointed out that the team had been so focused on getting everything right that they forgot to enjoy the game. He stressed that what they had been missing wasn’t skill or effort, but the energy and excitement that come with celebrating every point.
“Well, siguro sa ngayon, sabi ko nga nung nakaraan, talagang sobrang tahimik lang kami sa ginagawa namin. Sa sobrang gusto naming itama ‘yung ginagawa namin, nagiging seryoso kami,” said the UAAP champion coach.
“Ngayon, sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Kailangan maging masaya tayo sa gagawin natin,’ kasi ito ‘yung gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court — ito ‘yung volleyball na gusto namin,” he added.
Now that NU has regained its mojo, the Bulldogs are eager to ride this surge of energy and confidence as they set their sights on reclaiming their place at the top.
