National University clinched the second seed and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four after a thrilling 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26 victory over third-ranked University of Santo Tomas on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Beyond securing the final playoff incentive, the win proved even sweeter for the Bulldogs as it snapped a two-game skid heading into the Final Four. Prior to the match, NU dropped back-to-back games against also-ran De La Salle University and UST to close the eliminations, forcing a playoff for the No. 2 seed with the Golden Spikers.
With the victory, the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs will carry a twice-to-beat advantage when they face UST anew in the Final Four this Wednesday, April 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Siyempre, may tiwala pa rin ako sa mga players ko dahil matagal ko na silang kasama. Alam ko yung kakayahan nila. Siguro nung game kanina, gusto nilang tapusin agad sa mabilis na paraan, pero sabi ko nga, hindi kailangan maging excited. Importante lang ay mag-focus kami sa gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
NU was on track for a dominant fourth-set finish as consecutive attacks by Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin built a comfortable 19-15 lead. However, UST clawed its way back into the contest, responding with a 5-1 run—capped by two Trevor Valera attacks—to tie the frame at 20-all.
Both teams exchanged points until the Golden Spikers reached set point following a costly Ordiales attack error, but the Bulldogs showed championship composure in the clutch.
UST even reached another set point at 25-24 behind a drop ball from presumptive MVP Josh Ybañez, but NU responded with a 4-1 closing surge, highlighted by a Vryvin Catinsag service error and a game-winning kill block from Ordiales and Ybañez, to secure the coveted playoff incentive.
“Siguro, siyempre, pagod na kasi akong matalo, kaya nung nanalo kami kanina, talagang sobrang saya ko kasi lahat ng trinabaho namin nitong mga araw na ito, talagang nagbunga talaga. Pero sabi nga namin, hindi pa tapos yung laban,” Ordiales said after powering the Bulldogs with 22 points on 19 attacks and three blocks, along with five excellent digs.
Buddin followed with 20 points, 21 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs, while Jade Disquitado contributed 10 points, 15 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs.
Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba had eight points on four attacks and three blocks, while team captain Peng Taguibolos added six points on four attacks and two blocks.
Greg Ancheta delivered 30 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos chipped in 12 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other side, Ybañez led the Golden Spikers—whose four-game win streak came to an end—with 20 points on 19 attacks, alongside 16 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
Gboy de Vega tallied 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs, while Sherwin Umandal added 12 points and four excellent digs.
Valera also produced 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks, while Catinsag contributed seven points in the loss.
Team captain Dux Yambao dished out 29 excellent sets along with four points, while sophomore libero Edriel Alabar provided 21 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal pairing will see top-seeded Far Eastern University take on fourth-ranked Ateneo de Manila University on the same date and venue.
