Placed in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position with their backs against the wall for the first time in their four-season reign, the National University Bulldogs responded exactly how champions should.
Composed and focused, the Bulldogs showcased their championship pedigree in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals, demonstrating what experience at the highest level truly looks like.
NU extended its dominance in the division by capturing a fifth consecutive crown with a 25-16, 28-26, 25-23 victory over Far Eastern University on Saturday afternoon before a division-record crowd of 14,517 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Their titles in Seasons 80, 81, 85, and 86 were all clinched via two-game sweeps, making this their first do-or-die Finals series during this remarkable run.
Moreover, the Bulldogs became the first team in the Final Four era of collegiate volleyball to win five straight championships.
This hard-fought three-game series victory also completed NU’s second consecutive golden double, following the women’s team’s title win last Wednesday against De La Salle University.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sobrang thankful kasi sa series na ito, ito yung pinakaexperience ko na sobrang ganda nung series. Talagang Game 1 at Game 2, dikdikan talaga. Ngayon siguro, mas nangibabaw yung experience namin sa Finals,” said Bulldogs head coach and now seven-time champion Dante Alinsunurin.
This championship marks NU’s eighth title this season, adding to their reigns in women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s beach volleyball, men’s tennis, men’s badminton, baseball, and women’s taekwondo kyorugi.
FEU claimed Game 1 in a thrilling come-from-behind effort last Sunday, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13. Then NU fought back with a 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11 win in Game 2 last Wednesday.
Today, the Bulldogs pulled out all the stops to retain their throne.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After a commanding first set, NU appeared comfortable in the second with a 20-12 lead, but FEU embodied its ‘Be Brave’ mentality by clawing back to take three set points.
However, Jade Disquitado emerged off the bench, drilling three consecutive points to overturn the 25-26 score and give the Bulldogs a 2-0 set advantage.
In the third set, NU once again played the comeback role, rallying from 19-21 down with four straight points to seize a 23-21 lead.
Although rookie Luis Miguel scored a point for the Tamaraws, a costly service error allowed NU to reach the championship point at 24-22.
Amet Bituin tried to revive FEU with a spike down the line, but NU’s graduating team captain Leo Aringo ended the match with a smart swipe off the blockers’ hands, securing the crown — NU’s seventh title overall.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ayokong maging emotional ngayon kasi hindi pa talag nagsi-sink in yung pagiging champion namin. Sobrang thankful ako na nag-graduate ako, na nagawa yung history na sinimulan ng seniors namin,” said Finals MVP Aringo, who finished with nine points, 10 excellent receptions, and four digs.
“Ever since na nag-champion yung NU, sila ang nagbigay ng magandang programa sa amin. Kung ano man ang nakukuha namin ngayon, utang na loob namin sa mga nagtrabaho dati.”
Leo Ordiales led the Bulldogs with 13 points, while Peng Taguibolos added 10 points on five attacks and five blocks.
NU capitalized on FEU’s mistakes, as the Tamaraws committed 27 errors in a match that lasted just one hour and 36 minutes.
Michaelo Buddin, who played through a sprained right ankle throughout the series, contributed nine points and 11 receptions.
Sophomore setter Greg Ancheta orchestrated the offense, averaging 19.33 excellent sets throughout the Finals series.
For FEU, Dryx Saavedra was a one-man show, delivering 24 points on 21-of-35 spikes and three blocks, but the next highest scorer was Miguel with just eight points.
FEU’s high-scoring rookies Amet Bituin and Mikko Espartero were effectively contained by NU, limited to only four and two points, respectively.
