NU Bulldogs celebrate after beating FEU Tamaraws in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Finals Game 2 at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Never doubt the heart of a champion as National University kept its five-peat dream alive, staving off Far Eastern University, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball finals Game 2 on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The five-peat-seeking Bulldogs blew another 2-1 advantage but this time they hung tight to force a rubber match on Saturday at the same venue in Pasay City.
READ: UAAP title reign in peril, NU still upbeat ahead of must-win game
Jade Disquitado, who only played in the last two sets, nailed the game-winning block on Dryx Saavedra as NU ended the match with a 5-1 run to spoil FEU’s title plans.
FEU, led by Saavedra and Amet Bituin, unleashed an 8-5 start in the fifth but committed four errors in NU’s 5-0 run as the latter took a 10-8 lead.
The fifth set remained knotted at 10-all before Buds Buddin and Peng Taguibolos gave NU a 13-10 cushion and never looked back as Leo Aringo found an open spot to push his team at match point, 14-11.
Buddin played his heart out with 20 points — all from attacks. Obed Mukaba stepped up when it mattered most, nailing a game-high six blocks to also finish with 20 points.
Leo Ordiales delivered 13 points. Leo Aringo had 10 points and 17 excellent receptions, while setter Greg Ancheta had 21 excellent receptions and four points.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball Finals
After winning the opening set, NU squandered a 14-9 start in the second frame as FEU tied it at 22-all before scoring three straight points off Amet Bituin’s drop, Ordiales’ attack error, and Dryx Saavedra’s cross-court kill to level the match at one set apiece.
The defending champions were quick to get their acts together with Ordiales and Buddin conspiring for a 10-point beatdown of the Tamaraws to regain the lead, 2-1.
However, FEU stole the momentum in the fourth and took full control of it to force a decider only to fall short from repeating its Game 1 triumph.
Saavedra led the Tamaraws 24 points. Bituin had 10 points, while Charles Absin added nine, highlighted by four blocks.
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