Alas Pilipinas members Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin took matters into their own hands to ensure a traditional Final Four format in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
‘Six-peat’-seeking National University delivered a statement 28-26, 17-25, 24-26, 25-11, 15-8 victory, handing Far Eastern University its first loss of the season on Sunday in front of a roaring crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-2, closing the gap on the Tamaraws, who dropped to 8-1 but remained in first place — now just one game ahead of NU.
Buddin and Ordiales powered NU’s comeback, dominating the final two sets to overturn FEU’s 2-1 set lead.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Good game talaga. Both sides naman sobrang ganda ng pinakita,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Pagdating sa dulo, natiyaga and ‘yung pasensya ni Buddin lumabas, naging maganda ‘yung resulta ng game.”
Buddin scored 14 of his 25 points in the last two sets, while Ordiales delivered 13 of his career-high 30 points in that same stretch.
With the fifth set tied at 7-all, Buddin and Ordiales took control.
Buddin ignited NU’s finishing run with a checked ball, before setter Greg Ancheta raised the energy with a solid block on Amet Bituin. Buddin followed it up with three straight points, then Ordiales took over, firing three of his own to cap off a dominant 8-1 closing run for NU, sealing the win in two hours and three minutes.
“’Yung decision-making namin, sobrang dami naming iniisip, parang nawawala kami sa sistema. Nung fourth and fifth set, ibinalik lang namin, sinunod lang namin ulit ‘yung sistema, and maganda naman ‘yung result,” said Ordiales.
Ordiales finished with 24-of-48 attacks, three blocks, and three service aces, along with six digs.
Buddin added 19-of-33 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, along with eight excellent receptions, while Jade Disquitado also shone with 12 points, 33-of-59 excellent receptions, and seven digs.
Jimwell Gapultos contributed 12 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs. Then Ancheta orchestrated the offense with 34 excellent sets and added three blocks.
NU looks to sustain its momentum on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion against Ateneo de Manila University.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Mikko Espartero led FEU with 22 points on 18 attacks and four blocks, along with 21 excellent receptions.
Dryx Saavedra added 18 points but cooled off after scoring nine in the opening set, while Lirick Mendoza was limited to 10 points, all coming in the first three frames.
FEU aims to bounce back next Sunday against University of Santo Tomas on its home court.
