National University achieved a rare four-peat in UAAP Men’s Volleyball by reasserting its dominance over University of Santo Tomas.
The Bulldogs reigned supreme in Season 86 after sweeping the Golden Spikers for the second straight year in the best-of-three Finals.
They took Game 2 in four hard-fought sets, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15, on Wednesday afternoon, witnessed by 17,089 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite losing to UST in both of their matches in the elimination round, NU scored wins in the games that mattered most – the Finals.
They previously won Game 1, 25-17, 26-24, 25-19.
The Bulldogs became the first team to accomplish a four-peat since UST did it in Season 70 to 73.
“Sobrang thankful kasi nakita ko na sa mga player ko, pagpunta pa lang namin dito, na gusto na nilang kunin itong championship,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Fittingly, it was graduating spiker Nico Almendras who dealt the finishing blows for the Bulldogs.
Almedras put them at match point with the sharpest of crosscourt kills. Then he nailed the clincher via a through-the-block hammer between Popoy Colinares and Jay Rack Dela Noche for the championship.
All in all, the match lasted one hour and 54 minutes.
The Golden Spikers equalized in the second frame with a 25-22 victory, but National U’s response stunned, shocked, and paralyzed UST.
The Bulldogs, led by Michaelo Buddin, Almendras, and Leo Aringo, put on a show in the third. They completely dominated the Golden Spikers, leading by as much as 20-9, to move a set away from their sixth overall crown in the division.
Sophomore outside spiker Buddin delivered a game-high 28 points on 22 attacks, five blocks, and one ace to go with 16 receptions. He also proved himself the missing piece after not playing in their two elimination round games against UST.
Leo Aringo added 22 points on 18 attacks, three blocks, and one ace. Meanwhile, Almendras had 20 points and 17-of-21 excellent receptions in his final game.
Graduating playmaker Owa Retamar tossed 26 excellent sets to go with three points, and was named as the Finals MVP for the second straight year.
He had 24 excellent sets and five points in Game 1.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Nakaka-proud yung team namin. Nung nag-meeting kami nung team, sinabi ko sa kanila kapag nag-champion tayo ngayon, magtutuloy-tuloy yan kasi madadala niyo yung pride ng pagiging champion,” said Retamar.
The blocking of the Bulldogs made the biggest difference with 16 rejections to the Golden Spikers’ three.
It was a delight for volleyball fans as the game featured minimal errors, with NU only committing 13 and UST only having 12.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Back-to-back league MVP Josh Ybañez carried the Golden Spikers with 24 points and seven digs.
Gboy De Vega added 15 points and 15 receptions.
