Ordiales, Buddin, Disquitado Lead NU to the Brink of Historic 'Six-Peat'

Alas Pilipinas trio Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Ordiales came alive in the most critical moments, propelling defending champion National University to the edge of a sixth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball title.

The Bulldogs overcame a shaky start, making key adjustments down the stretch to edge Far Eastern University in a five-set thriller, 21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The hard-fought victory, witnessed by 7,498 fans, not only moved NU closer to its eighth overall UAAP men’s volleyball championship but also put the Bulldogs on the verge of achieving a historic six-peat in the Final Four era.

This marked NU’s second straight win over FEU this season, after previously surviving a five-set thriller, 28-26, 17-25, 24-26, 25-11, 15-8, on March 22, denying the Tamaraws an outright Finals berth and an elimination-round sweep.

“Lagi ko naman silang rineremind sa ginagawa at kung nasaan sila at kung ano ang kakayahan nila. As long as naglalaro kami para tumulong sa team, talagang sinasabi namin sa kanila na mag-perform sila and kung ano ‘man yung nagiging experience nila sa labas, i-share nila. Through leadership na lang din talaga kaya ito yung naging resulta ng game namin,” Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

The decisive fifth set, expected to be tight, turned into a showcase of NU’s championship composure, honed through international exposure. The Bulldogs surged to a 7-1 lead and maintained control, capitalizing on two blocks from Buddin and Peng Taguibolos, a service error by Mikko Espartero, and another attack miscue from Dryx Saavedra.

FEU briefly narrowed the gap to 10-7, but NU’s dominant start proved insurmountable. Taguibolos’ block on Espartero and Disquitado’s backrow attack set up match point, with Taguibolos’ final quick hit sealing a 1-0 series lead in two hours and one minute.

After dropping the third set 21-25, NU regrouped with steady contributions from Buddin, Ordiales, Disquitado, and Taguibolos to claim the fourth set 25-20.

“Pagka-Finals na kasi, yung mindset kasi namin ay wala na next week. Kumbaga, ito na yung pinakadulo ng season. Kaya siguro yung mindset namin ay wala nang excuse. Talagang all out kung all out. Kumbaga, ito yung pinaghandaan namin ng isang taon kaya talagang chinecherish namin yung moment,” said Ordiales, who led NU with 22 points, including 20 attacks, two blocks, and four digs.

Disquitado recorded 21-of-42 kills, 20 excellent receptions, and nine digs, while Buddin added 20 points on 17 attacks and three blocks, alongside 18 receptions and seven digs. Taguibolos contributed 12 points, and Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba tallied nine. Greg Ancheta led the offense with 31 excellent sets, and Jimwell Gapultos anchored the defense with 12 receptions and six digs.

Now one win from history, NU aims to close the series in Game 2 at noon on Saturday, May 9, at the same venue, seeking its eighth UAAP men’s volleyball title, all under Alinsunurin.

FEU, meanwhile, faces a win-or-go-home scenario, drawing motivation from its Season 87 Finals heartbreak. Dryx Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 20 points, Mikko Espartero and Amet Bituin added 14 each, and middle blocker Doula Ndongala contributed 10. Captain Ariel Cacao delivered 28 excellent sets, while Vennie Ceballos added 16 digs and 14 receptions.