Michaelo Buddin’s trust and belief in National University remain steadfast despite a tough 25-27, 14-25, 23-25 loss to Far Eastern University in just their third game of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
The third-year outside spiker from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, recalled that NU faced a similar situation last year, losing three times in the elimination round before bouncing back to claim their fourth consecutive championship.
Back in Season 86, the Bulldogs’ historic 34-game winning streak was snapped on opening weekend when University of Santo Tomas swept them in straight sets. UST repeated the feat in the second round, while De La Salle University also handed NU a defeat.
However, the Bulldogs peaked at the right time, eliminating La Salle in just one game in the Final Four before sweeping UST in the Finals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sinabi lang namin na gawin nating motivation na lang ito kasi last season ganito rin naman nangyari. First game namin, UST, na-straight sets kaagad kami. Ngayon, nasa taas pa rin naman kami, 2-1, at alam naman namin na makakabawi kami,” Buddin shared after the game on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Tulad last season, natalo kami ng UST twice, natalo kami ng La Salle, pero nangyari was nakabawi pa rin naman kami. Alam namin na after ng pagkatalo na ito, babangon pa rin yung team namin kasi yun naman talaga character ng team namin — bugbog pero babangon pa rin,” he continued.
“Wake-up call ito para sa amin na sa ensayo pa lang, mas pagbutihan namin at pagtatrabahuhan namin para makuha ulit namin yung championship.”
Despite his optimism, the Alas Pilipinas member acknowledged the significant difference between last year’s NU squad and this season’s team.
Season 86 Finals MVP Owa Retamar, along with Best Outside Spiker Nico Almendras and libero Mano Sumagui, all graduated after leading the Bulldogs to another title.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Now, the setting duties fall on second-year playmaker Greg Ancheta and rookie Jeffe Gallego.
“Ang hirap eh, kasi alam naman natin, Retamar is Retamar, eh di ba? Yung maturity niya sa court, ang laking impact sa team, sa aming mga bata, to guide us. Eh ngayon, kami yung nagga-guide sa setter,” Buddin admitted.
“Yun nga, bata, medyo hirap siya. Minsan nape-pressure kasi hindi basta-basta yung pinalitan niya. Lahat naman kami nandito para iguide sila lagi. Hindi lang talaga maiwasan na lahat pumapasok sa utak kaya mabigat siya tingnan,” he added.
NU looks to return to the win column on Saturday when it faces the University of the East, once again at the MOA Arena.
