After missing more than half of the elimination round, Buds Buddin delivered on his promise and helped National University claim a rare four-peat in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs suffered a huge blow in their build-up leading to the season after the promising sophomore hitter suffered a fractured right hand.
That injury forced him to miss NU’s first nine games in the elimination round.
Buddin made it his mission to contribute to the Bulldogs’ cause once he returned, and he did just that after coming up big for the team in their Finals rematch against the University of Sto. Tomas.
“Sobrang saya, syempre. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung unang goal ko bago ako bumalik, ‘yung makatulong sa team,” said the Season 85 Second Best Outside Spiker.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The pride of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, delivered 16 points to go along with nine excellent receptions.
And his performance helped NU bag a straight-set 25-17, 26-24, 25-19, Game 1 victory last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Buddin then followed it up with a monster 28-point, 16-reception outing in the Bulldogs’ title-clinching 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15, Game 2 triumph.
The win completes the school’s road to securing a rare four-peat in men’s volleyball, last achieved by UST, spanning from Season 70 to 73.
And the 22-year-old outside spiker said that he’s glad to do his part in helping the school reach the historic feat.
“Siguro naman nagawa ko naman na ‘yung part ko, kasi nakuha namin ‘yung kung ano ‘yung goal ng team, which is ‘yung four-peat,” Buddin added.
Buddin’s explosive performance played a pivotal role in the Finals series, as did his nerves of steel throughout. With that, graduating team captain Owa Retamar is at peace knowing that he will leave his beloved school in capable hands.
“Alam ko naman na naturo namin kay (Buds) Buddin, kay Leo (Ordiales), saka kay Peng (Taguibolos) at Choi (Diao) kung paano mag-adjust agad. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” said Retamar.
“Ako siguro yung maiiwan namin ni Nico (Almendras), ‘yung kung paano mag-adjust nang mabilis. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung laging tinutulong sa amin nila coach so pagdating sa game kung ano ‘man gawin ng kalaban, makakapag-adjust agad.”
