Jade Disquitado had one opponent he couldn’t seem to conquer: University of Santo Tomas.
But when the perfect moment arrived, the National University sophomore refused to let history repeat itself.
In their elimination round matches during the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the Golden Spikers had and the Bulldogs figured out.
While Disquitado was a bright spot in their Season 86 encounters — scoring 13 points in the first-round meeting and 20 in the second round — the Bulldogs couldn’t solve the Golden Spikers’ puzzle.
UST claimed both elimination victories, contributing to NU’s 11-3 record, with two of those losses coming at the hands of the España-based squad.
Though NU exacted revenge in the finals, sweeping UST to secure their fourth straight UAAP men’s volleyball title, Disquitado didn’t get a chance to face UST in the championship series as head coach Dante Alinsunurin kept him on the bench in both games.
This season, however, the pride of Santa Rosa, Laguna felt determined to turn his misfortunes against the Golden Spikers into a victorious first-round closer for the Bulldogs in Season 87.
Armed with a 2-1 set advantage, UST was on the brink of forcing a fifth set after a crosscourt hit by Jayrack dela Noche.
But Disquitado came in clutch for NU, delivering two crucial points — a crosscourt attack followed by an offspeed hit — to seal the Bulldogs’ four-set win and earn his first victory against the Golden Spikers when he was on the floor.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Bawing-bawi ako sa kanila kasi hindi pa ako nananalo sa UST simula last year, pati sa V-League eh, hindi na ako nananalo,” said Disquitado, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year.
“Pag ako yung ginagamit, talagang hindi ako nananalo. Pero this time, hindi na ako pumayag na sila yung manalo ulit sa akin na ako yung naglalaro.”
Disquitado had been sparingly used early in Season 87 due to a left ankle sprain sustained before their training camp in Japan last January. But with his rhythm returning at a crucial moment, he played a pivotal role in strengthening NU’s quest for a five-peat.
Thanks to Disquitado’s late-game heroics, NU ended the first round with a 6-1 record, securing solo second place in the standings.
The Bulldogs now hold a two-game cushion over UST, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University, who are all tied at 4-3.
“Sa akin ano lang, binigay ko lang yung best ko at sumunod lang ako sa mga sinasabi ng coaches. Sinundan lang namin yung sistema at prinapractice namin,” added the 20-year-old wing spiker.
“During those times na hindi ako ginagamit, humuhugot na lang talaga ako ng lakas sa teammates ko, sa coaches, at sa family ko kasi sila yung nagpu-push sa akin lagi sa ensayo na kaya ko na maglaro.”
He finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, alongside 16 excellent receptions and four excellent digs.
No one was prouder than Alinsunurin, who commended Disquitado for his patience and trust in the recovery process. Alinsunurin praised his composure and readiness when called upon during crunch time.
“Sa simula, dapat siya na talaga yung nandiyan, pero may nangyari lang sa kanya before kami pumunta ng training camp [sa Japan]. Buti na lang, mabilis yung naging recovery niya para makahabol,” said Alinsunurin.
“At sabi ko nga sa kanya na anytime pwede ka ma-maximize, kung ano pa kaya mo gawin. Siguro natanggap na niya yung challenge na kailangan niya maghintay muna para maging maayos yung galawan.”
#WATCH: Coach Dante Alinsunurin praises the NU Bulldogs’ strong performance and welcomes the return of Josh Ybanez for UST 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon/ Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/1MVCKts25X
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 16, 2025
