By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The National University (NU) Bulldogs overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22 victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, March 9.

Negrense Leo Ordiales tallied 14 points on nine attacks and five blocks, to go with three excellent digs, as the defending champion Bulldogs improved to a 4-1 win-loss record in second place.

Michaelo Buddin came through with 22 points on 17 attacks, three aces and two blocks with six excellent receptions and one dig.

Leo Aringo scored 16 points built on 12 attacks, two blocks and two aces with 10 excellent receptions and two excellent digs.

The win also allowed NU to assert their mastery over UP, clinching their 12th consecutive win over the Fighting Maroons dating back to a second round win in Season 78 last March 20, 2016.

After dropping the third set, the Bulldogs regained their composure in the fourth, breaking an 18-all deadlock with an offspeed hit from Ordiales, two costly attack errors by UP spiker Olayemi Raheem, and a service ace from Aringo for a 22-18 advantage.

UP attempted a late rally, capitalizing on an Aringo attack error and a Tommy Castrodes off-the-block hit to cut the deficit to 22-20.

However, another offspeed shot from Ordiales, a service error by Clarence Santiago and a quick attack from Choi Diao sealed NU’s hard-fought win.

Raheem paced UP in the loss with 16 points on 15 attacks and one block with two excellent digs, while Castrodes scored 13 points on 12 attacks and one block with seven excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

They dropped to a 1-4 mark.

Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (3-2) took down the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers (4-2), 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21.

Negrense Jian Salarzon finished with 12 points for Ateneo./ASC, WDJ