NU bounces back, nips UST to clinch semis twice-to-beat edge

The National University Bulldogs were bitten twice in the elimination rounds.

But this time, the five-time defending champions were able to get back their bit–chomping past the UST Golden Spikers to claim the twice-to-beat advantage.

Hungry for redemption, the Bulldogs restored their six-peat-seeking momentum after halting a two-game losing skid, outlasting the Golden Spikers to claim the No. 2 seed and the crucial semifinal incentive, 25–22, 20–25, 25–23, 28–26, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, April 25.

Behind the victory were Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin, conspiring for 42 points built on 38 attacks that shrugged off UST’s late-game scare.

The victory proved the Bulldogs’ championship pedigree as head coach Dante Alinsunurin’s pups retained their composure in the clutch. 

“Siyempre, may tiwala pa rin ako sa mga players ko dahil matagal ko na silang kasama. Alam ko yung kakayahan nila. Siguro nung game kanina, gusto nilang tapusin agad sa mabilis na paraan, pero sabi ko nga, hindi kailangan maging excited. Importante lang ay mag-focus kami sa gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court,” Alinsunurin said. 

Up two sets, the Bulldogs squandered a 19–15 lead as UST mounted a 5–1 run, highlighted by two attacks from Trevor Valera, to tie the fourth set at 20-all.

Both teams traded points and reached a 24-all deadlock before a drop ball from Josh Ybañez gave UST a 25–24 edge.

NU, however, responded with a 4–1 run, capped by a kill block from Leo Ordiales to seal the set and gain a semifinal edge.

Ybañez finished with 20 points on 19 attacks, along with 16 excellent receptions and eight digs, while Gboy De Vega and Sherwin Umandal combined for 25 markers in a losing effort.

Both teams also committed crucial errors throughout the match, but UST’s 32 unforced errors proved costly, including eight in each of the final two sets that allowed NU to pull away.

Now holding the No. 2 seed, the Bulldogs will look to sustain their edge against UST, while the Golden Spikers will need to win twice to advance.

With reports from Tiebreaker Timers