NU Bulldogs stop UP Fighting Maroons for 4th win in UAAP men's volley

MANILA, Philippines -- DEFENDING champion National University overcame a third-set stumble to secure a 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22 victory over University of the Philippines, earning its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After dropping the third set, the Bulldogs regained their composure in the fourth, breaking an 18-all deadlock with a 4-0 run. A well-placed offspeed hit from Leo Ordiales, two costly attack errors by Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem, and a service ace from Leo Aringo propelled NU to a 22-18 advantage.

UP attempted a late rally, capitalizing on an Aringo attack error and a Tommy Castrodes off-the-block hit to cut the deficit to 22-20. However, another offspeed shot from Ordiales, a service error by Clarence Santiago, and a quick attack from Choi Diao sealed NU's hard-fought, one-hour and 27-minute win.

"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 head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

Despite dominating the first two sets, NU struggled in the third, falling behind 5-12—a gap too wide to recover from. Consecutive points from Castrodes and an Aringo attack error crushed the Bulldogs' hopes of a sweep.

Earlier in the match, NU built a commanding 2-0 set lead after an ace by Dan Nicolas and back-to-back Castrodes hits trimmed UP's deficit from 10 to six at 21-15. A net touch violation and three consecutive blocks by Ordiales and Aringo ultimately closed out the second set in favor of the Bulldogs.

Following a tough loss to the still-undefeated FEU Tamaraws on February 23, NU has regained its rhythm with consecutive wins, improving to a 4-1 record.

Buds Buddin came through with 22 points on 17 attacks, three aces and two blocks with six excellent receptions and one dig while Aringo scored 16 points built on 12 attacks, two blocks and two aces. TMT