NATIONAL University kept its five-peat aspirations burning bright, forcing a sudden-death Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals.
The four-time defending champions displayed their resilience, overcoming a late deficit to defeat Far Eastern University 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11.
The hard-fought victory levelled the series at 1-1, delaying the Tamaraws’ bid for their 26th title.
The Bulldogs and the Tamaraws will clash for the final time this season on Saturday, still at the same bayside Pasay venue for the championship.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa ginalaw ng players ko, talagang kahit hindi kami magkarinigan, nagkakatinginan na lang kami, kung ano dapat gawin sa loob ng court, sobrang thankful ako kasi nagdeliver talaga sila,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Lalo na nung fifth set. Lamang sila ng tatlo, sabi ko sa players ko, kailangan lang bumalik tayo, kailangan lang natin kung ano yung ginagawa natin sa training, kung ano yung ginagawa natin pag may game. Kailangan balik balikan natin. Hindi pupwede na may sitwasyon na kailangan natin sumuko talaga.”
NU was down 5-8 in the deciding fifth set, but errors by FEU as well as steady serving put them back in the game.
Mikko Espartero’s attack error started the rally for the Bulldogs as head coach Dante Alinsunurin gambled with a substitution anew, this time putting in service specialist Jonas Hernandez in lieu of Obed Mukaba at the service line.
Undeterred by the bright lights, Hernandez put up great serves as FEU continued to waste shots, committing three more errors coupled with a Michaelo Buddin attack to give NU a 10-8 advantage that hyped up a half of the 9,977-strong fans inside the Pasay venue.
While the Tamaraws were able to tie the game at 10, the Bulldogs responded with a 5-1 finisher capped by Jade Disquitado’s solid single block on Dryx Saavedra for the win after two hours and 19 minutes.
Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, and Leo Aringo also contributed in the finishing blast.
Just like Game 1, where FEU shrugged off a dismal third set to still win, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, the Tamaraws rallied after falling in the third, 15-25, as Dryx Saavedra, Charles Absin, and Lirick Mendoza carried the fight to force a fifth frame, 25-18.
“Nu’ng fifth set sabi namin hindi pa naman tapos. Nandito ulit tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, sanay tayo sa ganito. Tiyagain lang natin every single point, isa-isahin lang natin ayun nagbunga lahat ng effort namin. Laking impact na nakita namin yung crowd, yung teammates namin na gustong-gusto nilang makuha namin,” said Buddin, still nursing a right ankle sprain.
Buddin unloaded 20 points in his first start after four games while Obed Mukaba also had a career-best showing of 20 points on 14-of-21 attacks and six blocks.
Leo Ordiales chipped in 13 points while Leo Aringo got 10 points and 17 excellent receptions.
Saavedra paced the Tamaraws with 24 points and six digs but help was missing.
Amet Bituin was the next highest scorer with 10 points while Absin got nine points including four blocks.
Espartero, Jelord Talisayan, and Lirick Mendoza added six points each.