The five-peat dream is still alive and burning.
Four-time defending champion National University kept their championship hopes intact with a gutsy 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11 win, forcing a sudden-death decider in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 5-8 deficit, showcasing their championship pedigree to level the best-of-three series at 1-1, while derailing the Tamaraws’ bid for a record 26th crown.
The two teams will meet again for the final showdown on Saturday at the same bayside Pasay venue, with the championship on the line.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sobrang thankful ako sa ginalaw ng players ko, talagang kahit hindi kami magkarinigan, nagkakatinginan na lang kami, kung ano dapat gawin sa loob ng court. Sobrang thankful ako kasi nag-deliver talaga sila,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Lalo na nung fifth set. Lamang sila ng tatlo, sabi ko sa players ko, kailangan lang bumalik tayo. Kailangan lang natin kung ano yung ginagawa natin sa training, kung ano yung ginagawa natin pag may game. Kailangan balik balikan natin. Hindi pupwede na may sitwasyon na kailangan natin sumuko talaga.”
Errors by FEU, coupled with NU’s steady serving, allowed the defending champions to fight back from a three-point hole and emerge victorious in the two-hour, 19-minute thriller.
Mikko Espartero’s attack error sparked a rally for the Bulldogs, as Alinsunurin once again gambled with a substitution, bringing in service specialist Jonas Hernandez in place of Obed Mukaba at the service line.
Hernandez rose to the occasion, delivering excellent serves, while FEU continued to waste shots, committing three more errors. A Michaelo Buddin attack followed, giving NU a 10-8 advantage that energized a portion of the 9,977-strong crowd inside the Pasay venue.
Although the Tamaraws managed to tie the game at 10, the Bulldogs responded with a 5-1 finish, capped by Jade Disquitado’s crucial single block on Dryx Saavedra for the win after two hours and 19 minutes.
Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Aringo also played pivotal roles in the finishing surge.
Just like in Game 1, where FEU overcame a poor third set to claim a 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 win, the Tamaraws fought back after losing the third set 15-25. Dryx Saavedra, Charles Absin, and Lirick Mendoza led the charge to force a fifth frame, 25-18.
“Nung fifth set sabi namin hindi pa naman tapos. Nandito ulit tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, sanay tayo sa ganito. Tiyagain lang natin every single point, isa-isahin lang natin ayun nagbunga lahat ng effort namin. Laking impact na nakita namin yung crowd, yung teammates namin na gustong-gusto nilang makuha namin,” said Buddin, who is still nursing a right ankle sprain.
Buddin unloaded 20 points in his first start after a four-game absence, while Mukaba also had a career-best performance, scoring 20 points on 14-of-21 attacks and six blocks.
Leo Ordiales contributed 13 points, while Leo Aringo added 10 points and 17 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 24 points and six digs, but lacked sufficient support.
Amet Bituin was the next highest scorer with 10 points, while Absin finished with nine points, including four blocks.
Espartero, Jelord Talisayan, and Lirick Mendoza each chipped in six points.
#WATCH: Coach Dante Alinsunurin praises Obed Mukaba and Buds Buddin for stepping up when NU needed them the most 🐶
It’s GAME 3🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/I8TYg7lPvB
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 14, 2025
