Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras were the calm and composed pillars of National University during the chaotic five-set match against University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball best-of-three finals on Wednesday.
The two seasoned Bulldogs led the team both on and off the court, guiding them to survive the Golden Spikers’ upset attempt with a score of 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Just when NU seemed on the brink of a major collapse after losing a two-set lead, Retamar and Almendras ensured they guided their teammates and showed them the way.
“Yun yung matuturo namin sa teammates namin kasi kami ni Nico ang dami na namin nalaruan so sanay na kami sa ganyan,” said the 6-foot setter on their grace under pressure.
“Yung sinasabi ng coaches sa amin tapos hindi nila maalala, kaming dalawa ni Owa yung nagpapaalala,” added the 6-foot-1 open spiker.
The duo emphasized that going through a five-setter experience in the finals would help their younger teammates understand how to respond in similar situations.
Rookie Michaelo Buddin, as well as newcomers Obed Mukaba and Clarenz Belostrino, also had their moments in the deciding frame, pushing the Bulldogs closer to their fifth overall title in the division.
“Ang [gusto] namin sa teammates namin sana matutunan din nila ihandle yung ganon na pressure kasi fifth set, yung crowd sobrang ingay na tapos syempre hindi kami magkarinigan, kahit papaano may kaba ng konti so gusto ko yun ang matutunan nila, mahandle nila yung mga ganong bagay,” said the 22-year-old Retamar.
“Kailangan talaga nila mahandle yung mga ganong bagay pagdating ng ganyang game lalo kapag fifth set tapos dikitan,” continued the 23-year-old Almendras.
NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed his pride in how the team regained their form towards the end of the match after squandering a two-set advantage. He also acknowledged their slow adjustment to UST’s new plays.
He revealed that during crunch time, he allowed his players to make their own decisions to test their readiness for big moments like this.
“Yung tapang nila na talagang hindi sila sumusuko kahit na may mga konting lapses kami sa ginagawa namin sa loob ng court hindi sila bumigay, ang importante composed pa rin sila,” said the decorated tactician.
“Alam namin ang nagiging problema kasi naging bago sa amin yung naging setup ng UST, yung play nila medyo ngayon lang nila ginamit kaya yung adjustment namin mabagal talaga pero yun nga sa bandang huli, nakita ko yung composure nila na tiwala sa isa’t isa nila na dapat ito ang gagawin nila,” the former national team head coach continued.
“Nung bandang huli nga pinabayaan ko na sila para mas makita ko kung hanggang saan sila maguusap sa loob.”
