Michaelo Buddin made sure that National University would have a twice-to-beat edge in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Final Four, taking a gutsy 19-25, 25-21, 25-13, 21-25, 16-14 win over De La Salle University, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs also regained their confidence against the Green Spikers, who beat them in the second round in just four sets, 25-19, 25-18, 31-33, 27-25.
With the twice-to-beat protection, NU will look to end De La Salle’s season right away on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
“Natutuwa ako sa naging resulta. Both games talaga ayaw magpatalo, pero sabi ko nga sa team ko, kung sino talagang gusto manalo sa bandang huli, ibibigay sa kanila,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
It was Buddin who led NU to the victory in two hours and 29 minutes. He took over in the decider, finishing with a new career-high of 32 points on 29 attacks and three blocks along with 10 excellent receptions and six digs.
The most important of them all were his final three hits, the first being an off-the-block kill on Nathaniel Del Pilar that put them at match point, 14-13.
Vince Maglinao then responded for De La Salle to extend the match.
But that would be the Green Spikers’ last stand. Buddin buried a crosscourt spike followed by a push shot that dropped right on the line for the NU win and the incentive.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“iayaw ko lang din masayang yung tinrabaho namin ng ilang days. Siyempre nung una akong naglaro na nababad, against La Salle yun, and ito yung pagkakataon ko na makabawi,” said Buddin, who had 16 points in three sets played against De La Salle in their last game.
JM Ronquillo started the fifth on fire, scoring six of the first eight points for the Green Spikers for an 8-6 lead. But that would be his last point, as he was checked the rest of the way as the Bulldogs rallied back.
With De La Salle leading 8-7, there was a long lull. NU challenged a foot fault on Maglinao’s landing after his crosscourt kill.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The challenge system display first showed that there was no fault, but after discussions initiated by NU captain Joshua Retamar with the referees, the replay was shown again.
This time, it showed that there was indeed a foot fault at the centerline.
Backing up Buddin were Nico Almendras’ 15 points and 16 receptions, and Choi Diao’s 11 points. Retamar steered the Bulldogs with 24 excellent sets and six points.
Diao, filling in for Obed Mukaba, stepped up by logging four of NU’s 12 blocks.
Noel Kampton paced the Green Spikers with 22 points, 13 receptions, and five digs, while Ronquillo ended up with 20 points.
Maglinao also had himself a game with 19 points but the next highest-pointer was Billie Anima with just four points.
The two teams cancelled out each other in errors with 28 each.
