Reigning four-time champion National University completed its elimination-round sweep of last season’s finals rival University of Santo Tomas, gutting out a 25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22 victory to build momentum heading into the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four, Sunday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With their sixth consecutive win, the Bulldogs wrapped up the preliminaries in second place with a 12-2 record, setting up a semifinals clash against the same team they battled in the last two Finals series.
Despite missing key hitter Michaelo Buddin due to a right ankle sprain, NU managed to overcome UST for the fourth straight time, following their sweep of the Golden Spikers in the Season 86 Finals and their four-set victory in their first-round matchup last March 16.
“Kahapon, nalaman namin na no-bearing na yung game, pero sinabi ko sa mga players ko na kahit anong mangyari ngayon, dapat i-mindset natin na manalo pa rin kasi yung magiging panalo natin, madadala natin sa Final Four,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“Nag-respond sila, although may mga set play or plays na naiba ngayon, pero at least kami naka-adjust pa rin kami sa ginawa ng UST.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Back-to-back attacks from two-time MVP Josh Ybañez pulled UST within one, 20-19, but a quick hit from Choi Diao, a crucial reception error from rookie libero Edriel Alabar, and a block by Jade Disquitado gave NU a 23-19 cushion.
The Golden Spikers managed to trim the lead to 23-21 following a Bulldogs net touch error and an off-speed hit from Jayrack de la Noche, but team captain Leo Aringo delivered back-to-back attacks to seal NU’s win in one hour and 57 minutes.
Earlier, with the third set tied at 20-all, NU capitalized on three costly UST errors — two attack errors by Ybañez and another from De la Noche — to claim a pivotal 2-1 set lead.
Another key factor in NU’s third set triumph was UST’s 14 committed errors, including three crucial miscues in the Bulldogs’ final five points, after the Golden Spikers combined for just 12 errors across the first two sets.
Disquitado stepped up for the injured Buddin with 23 points on 22-of-38 attack efficiency with 16 excellent receptions and six excellent digs, while Leo Ordiales provided 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks.
Peng Taguibolos achieved 10 points, while Aringo chipped in eight points to go along with 12 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Greg Ancheta orchestrated NU’s offense with 28 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos showcased his defensive prowess with 14 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Golden Spikers, who saw their five-game winning streak snapped, fell to a 9-5 record heading into the Final Four. Their most recent defeat serves as a preview of the upcoming No. 2 vs. No. 3 semifinals match-up, where NU will hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
Ybañez paced UST in the losing effort with 20 points, 24 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs, while rookie hitter JJ Macam and De la Noche added 11 points each.
Trevor Valera scored eight points, while former beach volleyball standout Alche Gupiteo chipped in five points.
