For a program built on dominance, two straight losses felt like an eternity for National University.
The Bulldogs finally snapped out of that funk in emphatic fashion, securing the No. 2 seed and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four after outlasting University of Santo Tomas in a gripping playoff, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26, on Saturday.
The victory was more than just a ticket to the Final Four. It was a release.
Moments after the final point, NU opposite spiker Leo Ordiales broke into a celebratory dance, a spontaneous display of relief after what felt like a grueling stretch.
For the 6-foot-5 hitter, the emotion came from finally seeing their hard work pay off following back-to-back five-set defeats to De La Salle and UST to close the eliminations.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Pagod na kasi akong matalo eh, kaya nung nanalo kami, sobrang saya ko kasi talagang lahat ng tinrabaho nung mga araw na ito, talagang nagbunga,” said Ordiales.
Those consecutive losses weighed heavily on the Bulldogs, marking their first back-to-back elimination round defeats in a decade, dating back to Season 78.
Now, NU regains its footing at the most crucial time — and with it, a crucial edge.
The Bulldogs hold the twice-to-beat advantage heading into their Final Four rematch against UST on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. They also took their first-round meeting, adding another layer of confidence as they brace for another showdown.
Still, Ordiales knows the job is far from finished.
“Masaya kami dahil nakuha namin ‘yung number two spot, pero hindi pa ito tapos kasi magkikita ulit kami,” he said.
“Masaya lang ako kasi medyo bumabalik-balik na kami, kasi nung mga previous games, nalugmok talaga kami sa mga talo. Pero ngayon, unti-unti kaming bumabangon, bumabalik sa kung ano kami.”
