The defending champions, National University Bulldogs, fought to live another day as they defeated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, in Game Two of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament finals.
Buds Buddin and Obed Mukaba led the Bulldogs with 20 points apiece, while Leo Ordiales contributed 13 points. Bulldogs team captain Leo Aringo added 10 points.
For the Tamaraws, Zhydryx Saavedra led the team with 24 points in 23 attacks and a block, while Amet Bituin contributed 10 points.
The UAAP has yet to release the schedule of the winner-take-all Game Three of the finals between the Bulldogs and the Tamaraws.
Here’s everything you missed at Game Two of the UAAP Season 97 men’s volleyball tournament finals.
20
With their backs against the wall, Buds Buddin led the National University Bulldogs by example with 20 points, all coming from attacks.
Buddin was sidelined in the semifinals after suffering a sprain. In Game Two, Buddin gave everything he had to make sure their five-peat quest remained alive.
“Nung fifth set, sabi namin hindi pa naman tapos. Nandito ulit tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, sanay tayo sa ganito. Tiyagain lang natin every single point, isa-isahin lang natin, ‘yun nagbunga lahat ng effort namin. Laking impact na nakita namin ‘yung crowd, ‘yung teammates namin na gustong-gusto nilang makuha namin,” Buddin said after the game.
For Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin, he expected nothing more from the defending champions, especially in the crucial fifth set when they were three points behind, 5-8.
He said, “Lalo na nung fifth set, lamang sila ng tatlo. Sabi ko sa players ko, ‘Kailangan lang bumalik tayo. Kailangan lang natin kung ano ‘yung ginagawa natin sa training, kung ano ‘yung ginagawa natin ‘pag may game, kailangan balik-balikan natin. Hindi pupwede na may sitwasyon na kailangan natin sumuko talaga.”
6
If Buddin was focused on the offense, Obed Mukaba made sure that he guarded the net as he finished the game with 20 points in 14 attacks and six blocks.
On the brink of losing the championship for the first time in eight years, Mukaba made sure to help the team in whatever way possible.
He said after the game, “I’m just very happy, very happy for the win today. Today, we decided to play like a family at the game, and we poured our hearts into this win. After this win, we go back into training and prepare for Game Three.”
“This game was very important for us because, like you said, it was a do-or-die. We just try to give our best in the game, and so we can still have hope to play for. Today we win, but tomorrow we work again. We need all the force we need to take the five-peat.”
For Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin, he didn’t want Mukaba to take the scoring load but to be a leader for the team on the court.
He said, “Sa akin, hindi lang naman talaga more on scoring ang hinahanap ko sa kanya or ‘yung blockings niya, pati ‘yung leadership niya. Isa na kasi siya sa mga leader talaga. Siguro, may mga chance na may mga game na hindi siya nagli-lead dahil may mga struggles siya sa ginagawa niya, pero sobrang thankful ako sa performance niya ngayon. Talagang hinabaan niya ‘yung pasensya niya sa loob ng court.”
