NU secure postseason playoff in men's volleyball

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Standings

Team W-L

*FEU 10-1
NU 9-2
UST 7-4
DLSU 7-4
Ateneo 6-5
UP 3-8
AdU 2-9
UE 0-11
*Final Four

Games on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

National University made swift work of also-ran Adamson University, 25-17, 25-16, 25-15, to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs, four-time defending champions, raised their record to 9-2 with their third straight win, boosting their chances to reach the Final Four for a ninth straight season.

NU is two games above joint-third UST Golden Spikers and De La Salle Green Spikers at 7-4.

“Ito na siguro ‘yung hinihintay namin na sitwasyon na tumaas ‘yung percentage namin sa side-out kasi ‘yung pasa namin talagang nagiging problema namin mula simula, buti kanina gumanda ‘yung pasa namin kaya na-execute namin ‘yung gusto naming gawin sa loob ng court,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

("This is probably the situation we've been waiting for, where our side-out percentage improved because our passing has really been a problem from the start. Thankfully, our passing improved earlier, so we were able to execute what we wanted to do on the court.")

The Soaring Falcons were sticking with the Bulldogs midway through the third, 12-14, but Michaelo Buddin, Leo Aringo, Obed Mukaba, and Leo Ordiales pushed NU to the victory after one hour and 21 minutes with a decisive 11-3 finisher.

This victory by NU was a statement after needing to execute a reverse sweep in its first-round encounter against Adamson, 20-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12.

The Bulldogs can clinch a spot in the semifinals with a win over the hapless UE Red Warriors on Wednesday, 9 a.m., at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Buddin led NU with 16 points on 15-of-24 spikes and an ace, while Aringo chipped in 12 points, 12 excellent receptions, and five digs.

Ordiales, who had regained the starting opposite position in lieu of Jade Disquitado, added 11 point,s while Mukaba had nine points on 5-of-6 spikes, two blocks, and two aces.

“Personally, I’m very happy because my performance before was not as good as I was expecting but now, with the help of the coaches I’m trying to improve so now I’m very happy for me and the team,” said the Congolese middle blocker, who was the 1st Best Middle Blocker of Season 85.

On the other hand, the eliminated Soaring Falcons dropped to 2-9 at seventh.

Adamson looks to escape out of its three-game slump on Saturday against the league-leading Far Eastern University at the Big Dome.

Off-the-bench Joel Menor paced the Soaring Falcons with seven points while Leo Coguimbal and Marc Paulino had six points each.

Jude Aguilar was held to another personal season-low of just three points after being limited to four points last game against University of Santo Tomas.