National University clinched the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four with a gutsy 30-28, 25-23, 25-16 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University, Sunday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Led by team captain Leo Aringo and energized by Jan Abanilla’s spark, the Bulldogs secured a crucial postseason edge while officially taking over the Final Four spot previously held by the UST Golden Spikers. The win marked NU’s fifth straight victory, improving their record to 11-2.
In doing so, the Bulldogs pushed Ateneo to the brink of elimination. A win by the DLSU Green Spikers against the UP Fighting Maroons — which was ongoing as of press time — would complete the Final Four cast and eliminate the Blue Eagles from the postseason for a third consecutive year.
“Bago kami pumunta talaga rito, minindset namin na kailangan namin itong game na ito kasi ito yung magiging advantage pagdating ng Final Four. Sa pinakita ng players ko na kahit sinong ipasok, nag-deliver sila at sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance kasi sa situation na ito na anytime, kahit sino yung hugutin ko, magpe-perform,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After tight first and second sets, Aringo’s back-to-back crosscourt hits in the third proved crucial, propelling NU to a commanding 19-12 lead that Ateneo never recovered from.
The Blue Eagles briefly rallied, cutting the deficit to 20-15 with a 3-1 run, but the Bulldogs quickly shut the door. A 1-2 play from Greg Ancheta, followed by an off-speed hit and an ace from Michaelo Buddin, then capped off by an off-the-block hit and a game-clinching off-speed strike from Abanilla, sealed NU’s straight-sets win in just 78 minutes.
The second set was tightly contested, with both squads deadlocked at 21-all. But an attack error from Jian Salarzon and three consecutive hits from Aringo gave NU the pivotal two-set lead.
Buddin led NU’s charge with 15 points off 10 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while also contributing eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs. Aringo added 12 points on 11 attacks, along with seven excellent digs and six receptions.
Abanilla made the most of his first Season 87 start, finishing with 11 points and seven excellent digs. Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba and Choi Diao chipped in five points each.
Ancheta orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets, while starting libero Jimwell Gapultos anchored the floor defense with 11 excellent receptions and six digs.
NU wraps up its elimination round campaign with a marquee showdown against the UST Golden Spikers on Sunday, April 27, at the Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo’s hopes for a Final Four berth remain slim but alive. The Blue Eagles must beat the UE Red Warriors on April 26 at the same venue, and hope La Salle drops all three of its remaining matches to forge a possible two-way tie for fourth place at 7-7.
Batas paced Ateneo with 12 points on 11 attacks and added eight excellent receptions. Amil Pacinio followed with 11 points and four digs, while Salarzon had 10 points and 14 excellent receptions.
Enzo Gutierrez recorded 16 excellent sets, while team captain Lance De Castro delivered an all-around performance with 18 excellent receptions and 12 digs.
#WATCH: Coach Dante Alinsunurin praises the NU Bulldogs for peaking at the perfect moment 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/wnnhVhmlsB
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 13, 2025
