Still recovering from a right ankle sprain, Buds Buddin remains determined to propel National University’s ‘drive for five’ in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
After sitting out the Bulldogs’ last two matches — including their Final Four opening loss to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers — Buddin returned with grit and fire, helping NU outlast a resilient UST squad in a do-or-die showdown.
But the road back wasn’t easy for the pride of Palawan. Buddin opened up about the emotional and physical toll of his recovery, which he had to endure in time for NU’s Final Four campaign.
“Actually, grabe lang struggles ko when it comes to rehab. Talagang piniga ako eh para makahabol ako dito,” Buddin shared.
With the third set tied at 23-all, Buddin stepped up and delivered a crucial crosscourt kill. Moments later, fellow outside hitter Jade Disquitado sealed the win with a game-winning off-the-block hit, sending the Bulldogs to their 10th straight UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals appearance.
As the NU Hymn played inside the arena, the Bulldogs celebrated a decade of excellence in one of the league’s most competitive tournaments — surpassing UST’s previous record of nine consecutive Finals appearances to set a new benchmark in UAAP men’s volleyball history.
Overcome with emotion, Buddin couldn’t hold back his tears.
“Hindi ko na naiwasan maging emosyonal kasi nakuha namin ulit ‘yung gusto namin na makapasok ulit ng Finals. Alam namin talaga na pinaghirapan namin ito, kaya parang naging ganun emosyon ko,” said Buddin, who tallied seven points on 7-of-11 attack efficiency and nine excellent receptions — all in just two sets of action.
“Siyempre, ‘yung effort ng bawat isa sa amin na ang dami namin sinakripisyo para dito and nakita ko onti-onti nagbubunga kaya ayun, tears of joy.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Buddin, overcoming adversity is nothing new. In Season 86, he returned from a right-hand fracture just in time to help lead NU to its fourth straight championship.
That resilience came through once again when head coach Dante Alinsunurin fielded him in at the 8-11 mark of the second set. The 23-year-old outside hitter knew it was his moment to reclaim lost ground and breathe life into NU’s historic five-peat bid.
“Actually, kahapon pa lang, talaga nire-ready ko na sarili ko eh kasi alam ko every time may mag-off sa kanilang dalawa, alam ko talaga ‘yung trust sa’kin ni coach Dante nandun pa rin eh. So, gabi pa lang bago matulog talagang sarili ko pinrepare ko na. Sabi ni coach, ‘Ready ka ba?’” he said.
“Pagka-ready, tinawag na ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Ito na ‘yung chance ko ulit.’ Bumalik ulit ‘yung nangyari nung Season 86. Inisip ko na lang na parang last game na lang kasi do-or-die na eh. Thankful ako na kahit may iniinda ako onti, binigay pa rin sa amin,” Buddin added.
Buddin admits he won’t be at 100-percent when the Bulldogs face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the best-of-three Finals series starting Sunday at 1:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Still, he vows to give his all on the Taraflex in pursuit of volleyball immortality.
If NU completes the five-peat, they will become the first team — in both men’s and women’s divisions — to win five consecutive UAAP collegiate volleyball titles.
Ironically, the only other team to come close was UST, which captured four straight titles from Seasons 70 to 73, only to be denied a fifth by none other than FEU — the same team NU now faces.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Hindi ko kasi masasabing 100% ako eh. Sabi ko nga sa mga coaches ko kanina, pag pinasok talaga ako, siguro ‘yung power hindi ko mabibigay sa inyo pero ‘yung skills and experience siguro ‘yun ang mapapakita ko. Thankful ako na nangyari namin ‘yung pinangako ko sa kanila. Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy and sana mabalik ‘yung 100% ko,” Buddin said.
“Ngayon mas magiging focused kami at pagtatrabahuin namin ‘yung mga need pa namin pagtrabahuin. Siguro mas all out na kami ngayon kasi Finals na eh. Nandun na kami sa goal namin, tatrabahuin na lang namin para makuha ‘yung goal namin.”
