By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University completed its recovery and outlasted Far Eastern University in their sudden death, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23, to annex its fifth straight title in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball before an energetic crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, May 17.
The Bulldogs delivered timely hits and held their fort against the persistent Tamaraws late in the third frame to become the first team in Final Four era to accomplice a five-peat. Overall, it was their seventh title.
Interestingly, NU’s five-peat is now second best behind the 12-feat of FEU from the late 1940s to the 1950s.
The Tamaraws took Game 1 but the Bulldogs evened their best-of-three title series with a huge Game 2 win.
The Dante Alinsunurin-mentored squad followed its female counterparts after the Lady Bulldogs also reigned supreme in their division a few days back against the La Salle Lady Spikers.
Unlike the Bulldogs, the Lady Bulldogs retained their crown via a grand sweep.
“Sobrang thankful kasi sa series na ito, ito yung pinakaexperience ko na sobrang ganda nung series. Talagang Game 1 at Game 2, dikdikan talaga. Ngayon siguro, mas nangibabaw yung experience namin sa Finals,” said Alinsunurin.
Leo Ordiales led a balanced attack from NU particularly in the third set after pumping in 13 points, while Rwenzmel Taguibolos chipped in 10 points.
Leo Aringo, an outside hitter from Davao who was later adjudged the Finals MVP, added nine points along with Buds Buddin while joining forces with 11 and 10 excellent receptions.
“Ayokong maging emotional ngayon kasi hindi pa talag nagsi-sync in yung pagiging champion namin. Sobrang thankful ako na nag graduate ako na nagawa yung history na sinimulan ng seniors namin. Ever since na nagchampion yung NU, sila ang nagbigay ng magandang programa sa amin. Kung ano man ang nakukuha namin ngayon, utang na loob namin sa mga nagtrabaho dati,” said Aringo.
Greg Ancheta was also splendid in distributing the ball well, registering 16 excellent sets.
Ryx Saavedra, meanwhile, gave it his all and produced 24 points in a losing cause. He was the lone double-digit scorer for the Tamaraws.
Luis Miguel and Chad Absin, though, added eight and six points, respectively, for the FEU side which all players plunged in their first-ever finals campaign.
FEU drew the first blood by taking Game 1, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-22, 15-13, before NU displayed its championship poise and claimed Game 2, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, to forge a rubber match.
The Bulldogs appeared dominant in the opening set before nearly crumbling in the second frame after seeing their 20-12 cushion dissipate. But Jade Disquitado stepped up and delivered three straight hits to seal the set win for the Bulldogs.
The Tamaraws refused to give up, even leading 21-19 in the third, but the Bulldogs held their composure and even leaned on a costly service error from FEU that gave them the matchpoint advantage 24-23, before snaring the victory.
