As the dust settled, the crown still found its way back to National University.
Despite a difficult path to the top, the ending remained the same. The Bulldogs swept the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 2 of the Finals, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22, to complete a ‘six-peat’ in the UAAP Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
In front of an electric crowd of 11,526 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, NU showed unwavering resolve and composure to extend its dynasty to six straight championships dating back to Season 80 (2018).
The victory also marked the Bulldogs’ eighth title overall — the fourth-most in the division — all achieved over the last 11 seasons.
“Sobrang happy talaga sa ginusto namin dahil nakuha namin yung ‘six-peat.’ Hindi namin namalayan na makukuha namin ito kasi first round at second round talaga, nag-struggle kami pag dating sa eliminations talaga,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Sobrang thankful ako na nakuha namin ito at sa players ko sa tiwala na binigay sa amin at sa coaches na sumuporta sa amin at mga players na palaging nandiyan.”
Despite finishing second in the elimination round with a 10-4 record and stumbling into the playoffs on back-to-back losses, NU proved that nothing else mattered in the postseason. The team strung together three straight wins to claim the championship.
In Game 2, the Bulldogs wasted no time asserting their dominance.
With NU holding a slim 18-16 lead in the third set, eventual Finals MVP Leo Ordiales took charge, scoring four straight points in a personal 4-2 run to stretch the gap to 22-18.
A series of exchanges between both sides brought NU to match point after Jade Disquitado’s powerful crosscourt hit made it 24-20.
FEU attempted a late push with two consecutive points, but NU middle blocker Obed Mukaba sealed the championship with a quick kill, finishing the match in just one hour and 28 minutes.
“Bonus na lang ‘yung award kasi ang goal talaga namin ay ‘yung six-peat eh,” said Ordiales, who delivered 24 points in the sweep, including an impressive 23-of-36 attacking efficiency.
The 6-foot-6 opposite hitter also led NU in Game 1, finishing with 22 points on 20 attacks and two blocks in a 21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8 victory.
Disquitado added 13 points, 15 receptions, and five digs, while Michaelo Buddin contributed eight points and 17 receptions. Captain Peng Taguibolos chipped in seven points, highlighted by five blocks, and Mukaba finished with six points — none bigger than his final kill.
Greg Ancheta starred as director on offense with 20 excellent sets, complementing his 31 excellent sets in Game 1.
Service specialist Jonas Hernandez will leave the Bulldogs as a champion.
For FEU, the Tamaraws settled for silver for the second straight year despite finishing the elimination round as the top seed. All three of their losses this season came against NU.
Mikko Espartero led FEU with 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Amet Bituin added 10 points and nine receptions.
Dryx Saavedra was limited to just eight points, three of which came in the first two sets, while Best Setter Ariel Cacao finished with 11 excellent sets.
Benny Martinez has played his final game for the Tamaraws, the 25-time champions who continue to chase a title after an 11-season drought.
