Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin each unleashed 26 points to propel National University into the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four, edging out Adamson University in a thrilling five-set match, 23-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 15-8, on Easter Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Now riding a four-match winning streak, the Bulldogs improved their record to 9-2, securing their 11th consecutive postseason appearance since Season 75 (2012-2013), which has yielded seven championships.
“Lagi namang sinasabi ni Coach Dante Alinsunurin na sumunod lang sa sistema, sa kung anong ginagawa namin sa ensayo, lalo na almost mga senior players na rin ‘yung nasa team namin,” said NU assistant coach Jessie Lopez after the two-hour, three-minute match. “Paalala lang sa kanila, pagdating sa pressure game, dapat mauna kami.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
It was Ordiales who ensured the Bulldogs avoided a collapse against the Soaring Falcons, who fell out of Final Four contention with a 2-9 record.
The 6-foot-6 opposite spiker contributed six points in the fifth set, including three in a 9-0 finishing run that turned a 6-8 deficit into a decisive win.
Team captain Peng Taguibolos added two points during that stretch, while Greg Ancheta and Buddin contributed one point each. Leo Coguimbal also committed two errors that aided NU’s cause.
Ordiales finished with 26 points on 20 spikes and six blocks, while Buddin recorded 26 points via 19 attacks, four blocks, and three aces, along with 14 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Bulldogs, however, were hampered by 39 errors—nine more than the Soaring Falcons.
Next up for NU is University of the East, which it will face next Sunday at the UST home arena.
Richard Besorio led the Soaring Falcons with 17 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Coguimbal also reached double digits with 13 points.
Adamson will next face University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
