FOR the ninth straight season, National University is in the UAAP Finals.
The second-ranked Bulldogs finished off third-seeds De La Salle Green Spikers in just one game, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, to advance to the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball best-of-three finale on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP Finals without La Salle or Ateneo is rare; Finals without RDJ quite odd
NU’s dominance in the division continues as in the past eight seasons, it secured five golds and three silvers. It is gunning for a fourth consecutive crown.
The Bulldogs now await the winner in the do-or-die match between top seed FEU Tamaraws and fourth-ranked UST Golden Spikers, currently battling as of publishing time.
Game 1 of the best-of-three title series is on Saturday at the Big Dome.
NU swept FEU in the eliminations while UST won both times against NU.
“Ngayong season talagang hindi naging madali yung daan namin papuntang Finals. Credit sa players ko and coaching staff ko pati sa management,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
In the closely fought third and fourth frames, Jade Disquitado and Michaelo Buddin delivered for NU.
Disquitado, who did not play a single minute the past two games, showed his readiness when called upon, drilling in a kill from the pipe that put the Bulldogs at set point in the third followed by an attack error by Vince Maglinao for the NU 2-1 set lead.
Then Buddin, who missed the first nine games of the season, brought the Bulldogs at match point in the fourth with a sharp crosscourt hit while Disquitado's push shot put an end to the two-hour, five-minute match.
Buddin led NU’s offense with 23 points on 19 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, he laced with 11 excellent receptions.
Nico Almendras was also solid in three sets with 14 points while Leo Aringo had 11 points to his name.
Disquitado posted eight points in limited minutes while Joshua Retamar tossed 21 excellent sets along with a team-high five blocks.
Mano Sumagui was also spectacular with 19 excellent receptions and 10 digs as JM Ronquillo left it all in his final game with 27 points on 23 spikes, three blocks, and an ace for the Green Spikers.
Maglinao backed him up with 17 points but Noel Kampton was held to just 12 points.
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