Buddin takes over in NU victory over UP

c/o UAAP

Games Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

9 a.m. - NU vs Adamson (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs La Salle (Men)
1 p.m. - NU vs Adamson (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs La Salle (Women)

DEFENDING champion National University overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22 victory over University of the Philippines, earning its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After dropping the third set, the Bulldogs regained their composure in the fourth, breaking an 18-all deadlock with a 4-0 run. A well-placed offspeed hit from Leo Ordiales, two costly attack errors by Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem, and a service ace from Leo Aringo propelled NU to 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, one-hour and 27-minute win.

“Yung naging problema talaga namin nung third set is yung mga unforced errors namin and kung kailan kami nakakuha ng momentum, nawawala sa amin. Nung fourth set, minindset lang namin na meron dapat kami ginagawa na may kasigurudahan, hindi pwedeng magdoubt sa sarili,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

("Our main problem in the third set was our unforced errors, and whenever we gained momentum, we would lose it. In the fourth set, we just set our minds on making sure that everything we did was certain—we couldn’t afford to doubt ourselves.")

Despite dominating the first two sets, NU struggled in the third, falling behind 5-12—a gap too wide to recover from. Consecutive points from Castrodes and an Aringo attack error crushed the Bulldogs’ hopes of a sweep.

Earlier in the match, NU built a commanding 2-0 set lead after an ace by Dan Nicolas and back-to-back Castrodes hits trimmed UP’s deficit from 10 to six at 21-15. A net touch violation and three consecutive blocks by Ordiales and Aringo ultimately closed out the second set in favor of the Bulldogs.

Following a tough loss to the still-undefeated FEU Tamaraws on February 23, NU has regained its rhythm with consecutive wins, improving to a 4-1 record and tying University of Santo Tomas for second place. UST, as of writing, is set to face Ateneo de Manila University later today at 11 a.m.

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.

“Hanggang sa sabi ko na anytime na may situation na mahirap, balik tayo sa simula tapos magenjoy tayo sa ginagawa natin. Tsaka every time na may magandang ginagawa, i-celebrate natin kasi kahit papaano, nakakadagdag ng kumpyansa sa bawat isa ‘yon,” Alinsunurin added.

("I told them that whenever we face a tough situation, we should go back to the basics and just enjoy what we're doing. Also, every time we do something good, we should celebrate it because, in some way, it helps boost each other's confidence.")

Buddin came through with 22 points on 17 attacks, three aces, all in the first set where the Bulldogs dominated, and two blocks with six excellent receptions and one dig, while Aringo scored 16 points built on 12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces with 10 excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Ordiales also made an impact in the scoring department with 14 points on nine attacks and five blocks with three excellent digs.

Peng Taguibolos tallied nine points on five attacks and four blocks, while Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba chipped in eight points on four attacks, three blocks, and one ace.

Greg Ancheta dished out 18 excellent sets, while starting libero Jimwell Gapultos tallied nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions.

NU will next face Adamson University in their penultimate first round match on Wednesday, March 12, still at the SM MOA Arena.

After carving out a hardfought five-set win over the Red Warriors to open the season, the Fighting Maroons have skidded towards their fifth straight defeat with a 1-5 card at seventh place.

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.

UP looks to rediscover its winning ways against Adamson next Sunday, March 16, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.