NU nears UAAP 6-peat glory, rallies back vs FEU in men’s volley finals opener

The NU Bulldogs are just a win away from obtaining its six-straight championship title.

Defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs stormed past the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in a back-and-forth five-setter match, gutting out a 21–25, 25–19, 21–25, 25–20, 15–8, during the Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, May 6.

Ruling the league since Season 80, NU is a triumph away from marching on to their sixth straight crown, marking the eighth golden trophy in 11 straight finals appearances for Jhocson.

The Bulldogs were pushed to their back foot in the opening set, as it unfolded to be a see-saw of deadlocks, where the Tamaraws broke free via an 8–2 run to draw first blood.

Regrouping just in time, the blue-and-gold clad men nursed their early stumble in the second set as Michaelo Buddin and Jade Disquitado combined for a 5–1 burst to seize a five-point lead and eventually leveled the game at one-all.

However, NU went off to a jittery third frame, tallying nine opposite errors, as they struggled to find their offensive rhythm due to service reception woes, which allowed the Tamaraws to threaten match point.

But, for a team forged in titles, the weight only sharpens the one built for glory.

With no room left but forward, opposite hitter Leo Ordiales owned the moment as he hosted a clinical fourth frame, tallying 11 of his 22 points to force a rubber set.

Flexing their championship pedigree, NU stalwarts Buddin and Peng Taguibolos frontmanned their squad’s stout net defense as they nailed timely blocks paired with Ordiales’ and Disquitados’s offensive antics to nab a six-point lead, 9–3.

Despite Amet Bituin’s efforts to plug his squad back at 9–6, Ordiales would spark a 6–2 surge, capped off by Taguibolos’s swift attack to secure the victory for the Jhocson-based squad.

Clutch-handed Disquitado received the player of the game nod in the finals opener after recording 21 points, 20 excellent receptions, and nine digs.

Ordiales and Buddin would conspire for 42 markers while NU’s team captain, Taguibolos, proved steady with 12 points to go with four blocks.

For FEU, Dryx Saavedra lifted his squad’s production with 20 markers built on 16 kills, two blocks, and two aces but fell short against the battle-tested NU.

NU will vie to retain and polish their winning form to extend their championship streak, while FEU will look to force a Game 3 on May 9 at the same venue.