Pasay City: Defending champion National University (NU) survived University of the Philippines (UP), 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday. NU capitalized on crucial errors by UP’s Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem and delivered on key plays, including an ace from Leo Aringo, to establish a 22-18 lead in the fourth set.
According to Philippines News Agency, although the Fighting Maroons fought back to cut the deficit to 22-20, NU closed out the match with consecutive points from Ordiales and Jenngerard Diao, and a service error by Clarence Santiago. NU improved to 4-1 while UP absorbed its fifth consecutive loss for an overall 1-6 card. UP, behind Castrodes, took the third set by taking an early 12-5 lead.
“Our main problem in the third set was our unforced errors and whenever we gained momentum, we would lose it. In the fourth set, we just set our minds on making sure that everything we did was certain. We couldn’t afford to doubt ourselves,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said. “I told them that whenever we face a tough situation, we should go back to the basics and just enjoy what we’re doing. Also, every time we do something good, we should celebrate it because, in some way, it helps boost each other’s confidence.”
Michaelo Buddin led NU with 22 points on 17 attacks, three aces, and two blocks, followed by Aringo with 16 points (12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces) and Ordiales with 14 points (nine attacks and five blocks). Rwenzmel Taguibolos had nine points (five attacks and four blocks) and Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba added eight points (four attacks, three blocks, and one ace) for the Bulldogs, who registered their 12th straight win over the Fighting Maroons dating back to Season 78 on March 20, 2016.
NU will face Adamson University in its penultimate first-round match on March 12. Raheem finished 16 points (15 attacks and one block) while Castrodes contributed 13 points (12 attacks and one block) for the Fighting Maroons.