NU Holds Off UST in Four-Set Thriller to Secure No. 2 Seed

National University (NU) earned the second seed and the final twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four with a thrilling 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26 victory over third-seeded University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The win not only secured NU the critical playoff incentive but also snapped a two-game losing streak heading into the Final Four. Before this match, the Bulldogs had dropped consecutive games to De La Salle University and UST to end the elimination round, setting up a playoff for the No. 2 seed with the Golden Spikers.

With the victory, the Bulldogs—seeking their sixth consecutive title—now hold a twice-to-beat advantage heading into their rematch with UST in the Final Four this Wednesday, April 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Of course, I still have confidence in my players because I've been with them for a long time. I know what they’re capable of. Maybe in today’s game, they wanted to finish it quickly, but I told them there’s no need to rush. The important thing was to focus on what we wanted to achieve on the court,” said Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

NU seemed poised to wrap up the match in the fourth set, as consecutive attacks from Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin gave them a comfortable 19-15 lead. However, UST mounted a fierce comeback with a 5-1 run—capped by two attacks from Trevor Valera—to tie the set at 20-all.

The two teams traded points until the Golden Spikers reached set point after a costly attack error by Ordiales, but the Bulldogs showed their composure in the clutch.

UST even had another set point at 25-24 following a drop ball from presumptive MVP Josh Ybañez. But NU responded with a 4-1 run, highlighted by a service error from Vryvin Catinsag and a game-winning block from Ordiales and Ybañez, securing the win and the valuable playoff advantage.

"Honestly, I was just so happy because I was tired of losing," Ordiales said after leading the Bulldogs with 22 points, including 19 attacks and three blocks, along with five excellent digs. "All the hard work we’ve been putting in paid off. But we know the fight isn’t over yet.”

Buddin added 20 points, 21 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs, while Jade Disquitado chipped in 10 points, 15 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs. Obed Mukaba contributed eight points on four attacks and three blocks, and team captain Peng Taguibolos added six points with four attacks and two blocks.

Greg Ancheta provided 30 excellent sets, while Jimwell Gapultos contributed 12 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.

For UST, Ybañez led with 20 points, 16 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs. Gboy de Vega had 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs, while Sherwin Umandal added 12 points and four excellent digs. Valera finished with 12 points, including 10 attacks and two blocks, while Catinsag chipped in seven points.

Team captain Dux Yambao set up 29 excellent sets, and libero Edriel Alabar tallied 21 excellent receptions in the loss.

In the other semifinal matchup, top-seeded Far Eastern University will face fourth-ranked Ateneo de Manila University on the same date and at the same venue.