By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Bulldogs made their way back to the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament finals after a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 conquest of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers in the do-or-die Final Four match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, May 7.
Negrense Leo Ordiales spearheaded the offense with 20 points, on 19 attacks and a block, while Jade Disquitado added a double-double of 14 points and 11 excellent receptions for the Bulldogs.
Michaelo Buddin marked his return from a one-game absence due to a right ankle sprain injury to tally seven points for the Bulldogs, who will aim for their fifth consecutive crown.
The Bulldogs were on fire early in the opening quarter as they built a 16-11 edge, but the Golden Spikers responded with their own rally to tie the count at 23-all before NU secured the set win via back-to-back hits from Ordiales and Obed Mukaba.
The Golden Spikers seized the lead early in the second set and were still up at 19-15 before the Bulldogs countered with a run to tie the score at 23-all on an attack by Buddin and sealing the win with a block from Choi Diao and an attack error from UST.
Both teams traded leads in the third set with NU surging to a 10-7 start before UST responded with their own run for a 13-12 edge.
Both teams were still tied at 23-all before Buddin secured the win for the Bulldogs with consecutive points.
“Sobrang nagkumpyansa kami sa laro [nung Game 1]. Sobrang kumpyansa talaga. Para sa akin, ‘yun lang ‘yung naging problem talaga kasi nandoon naman kami nung first and second sets,” Bulldogs coach Dante Alinsunurin said after the game.
“Talagang nalagay lang namin ‘yung sarili namin sa alanganin na sitwasyon kung saan nag-relax kami. Kaya dito sa Game 2, ipakita namin ‘yung itsura at ‘yung manner na gusto nilang manalo para sa NU,” he added.
Josh Ybañez led the way for the Golden Spikers with 14 points, while Gboy de Vega chipped in 12 markers as they concluded the season with the bronze medal.
The Bulldogs will begin their title defense against top-seed Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series at the same venue on Sunday, May 11./ASC, WDJ