With Leo Ordiales under the weather, National University needed someone to step up.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin didn’t have to think twice — he turned to one of his most trusted warriors off the bench, Jan Abanilla.
Despite seeing limited minutes throughout the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, it has become second nature for Alinsunurin to call on Abanilla whenever the Bulldogs are faced with unexpected challenges.
“Sa akin, siyempre matagal ko nang kasama si Jan, nakikitaan ko talaga siya ng potential. May mga time na kapag kailangan, siguradong mag-step up ito,” said Alinsunurin. “Isa si Jan sa mga lagi kong inaasahan. Every time na may struggle kami sa loob ng court, siya yung lagi kong tinatakbuhan ever since pa.”
Abanilla answered the call.
Stepping in for Ordiales, the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker out of Dumaguete delivered 11 points and seven digs to help NU secure the last twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a 30-28, 25-23, 25-16 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Already mentally preparing since Saturday, the 23-year-old was more than ready to seize his moment under the spotlight.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ginawa ko lang po yung best ko na makatulong sa team, sunod lang sa sistema. Inisip ko rin po na kailangan kong mag-step up since si Leo Ordiales ay may sakit nga po,” shared Abanilla.
“Kagabi pa lang, iniisip ko na na kailangan ko talagang tumulong sa team. Kung hindi man sa opensa, sa depensa. Kung saan ako makakatulong, doon ako tutulong. Lumabas naman sa game ‘yung minindset ko kagabi pa lang.”
Team captain Leo Aringo also commended Abanilla and the other bench players for always being ready when their numbers are called.
Choi Diao added five points of his own as starting middle blocker Peng Taguibolos sat out the game due to a minor injury.
“Maganda yung ipinakita ng mga sub, like si Jan na nag-deliver talaga. Thankful ako as a kuya nila na nakikita ko yung teammates ko na lahat sila nagko-contribute — kung sinong ipasok, kung sinong hugutin,” said Aringo.
“Nung nagkasakit si Leo, sabi ko ito na yung chance niya para maipakita yung laro niya — and yun, sobrang thankful kasi nag-deliver talaga. Yung depensa saka opensa niya talagang lumabas,” added Alinsunurin.
#WATCH: Coach Dante Alinsunurin praises the NU Bulldogs for peaking at the perfect moment
@justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/wnnhVhmlsB
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 13, 2025
