Nico Almendras of NU celebrates. UAAP photo
Bulldogs close in on UAAP three-peat
NATIONAL University went through the wringer before repulsing University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11, to move on the cusp of completing a three-peat in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs extended their unbeaten run this season to 15 matches, but not before surviving a pesky Golden Spikers stand in the two-hour, 50-minute match.
“Medyo lumamang kami nung bandang huli although yung ibang sets nagiging problema namin yung opensa namin buti na lang medyo may unforced errors sila na nakakahabol kami…sana magtuloy-tuloy pa at sa Sunday makuha na namin,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Mike Buddin made an impression in his Finals debut with 26 points on 24-of-54 attacks and 26 receptions to power the Bulldogs in securing the opener
“Hindi ko ini-expect na magiging ganoon ang performance ko sa game. Sobrang happy sa panalo,” said Buddin, who won a high school boys title for NU-Nazareth in 2019.
NU seeks for its fifth championship overall in Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the same Pasay venue.
Nico Almendras added 20 points and seven digs, Ken Malinis added 11 points while setter Josh Retamar, who overcame injury scare in the fifth set after colliding knees with Josh Ybañez, tossed in 25 excellent sets to go with five points for the Bulldogs.
Ybañez had a game-high 28 points along with 12 digs, while De Vega chipped in 19 kills and 13 receptions for the Golden Spikers.
UST was ahead 7-5 in the decider when errors allowed NU to claw back and prevail.
“Sobrang exciting yung game kanina. Both teams talaga ibinigay nila yung best every set,” said Alinsunurin.
Staring at a 14-19 deficit in the fourth, the Golden Spikers battled tooth and nail behind Ybañez and De Vega to drag the Bulldogs to extend the match to a decider.
