The defending champions National University Bulldogs made history as the first school in the Final Four Era to win five consecutive championships after defeating the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23, in the winner-take-all Game Three of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals.
Leo Ordiales led the Bulldogs with 13 points in 10 attacks and three blocks, while Rwenzmel Taguibolos contributed 10 points in five attacks and five blocks. Outside hitters Buds Buddin and Leo Aringo had nine points apiece.
Zhydryx Saavedra was the lone bright spot for the Tamaraws with 24 points in 21 attacks and three blocks. Luis Miguel was the spark off the bench with eight points.
Here’s everything you missed at Game Three of the UAAP Season 97 men’s volleyball tournament finals.
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The National University Bulldogs limited their errors to just 17 in their historic five-peat championship against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. In comparison, the Tamaraws had 27 errors throughout the match.
After the game, Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin admitted that their experience in the finals was the difference in this game. He said, “Sobrang thankful kasi sa series na ito, ito ‘yung pianaka-experience ko na sobrang ganda nung series. Talagang Game 1 at Game 2, dikdikan talaga. Ngayon siguro, mas nangibabaw ‘yung experience namin sa Finals.
10
National University Bulldogs team captain Leo Aringo did not score as many points as he could have, but he also led the team in sweeping the floor to contain the Tamaraws’ attacks.
Aringo, who was hailed as the Finals MVP, recorded nine points in seven attacks and two aces with four excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
After the game, Aringo was just thankful that they successfully written history not just for their team but for the UAAP as well. He said, “Ayoko maging emotional ngayon kasi hindi pa talaga nagsi-sink in ‘yung pagiging champion namin. Sobrang thankful ako na nag-graduate ako, na nagawa ‘yung history na sinimulan ng seniors namin. Ever since na nag-champioin ‘yung NU, sila ang nagbigay ng magandang programa sa amin. Kung ano man ang nakukuha namin ngayon, utang na loob namin sa mga nagtrabaho dati.”
9
In the last game of the season, the National University Bulldogs recorded nine block points against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the winner-take-all Game Three of the finals.
Middle blocker Rwenzmel Taguibolos scored half of his points in blocking, while opposite hitter Leo Ordiales had three block points. Obed Mukaba had one block point in the one-hour-and-thirty-minute match.
In comparison, the Tamaraws had four block points – Zhydryx Saavedra had three while Amet Bituin had one.
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Zhydryx Saavedra was the lone bright spot for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws with 24 points in 21 attacks and three blocks. Luis Miguel was the spark off the bench with eight points.
Middle blockers Charles Absin and Lirick Mendoza were limited to just six and three points, respectively. Meanwhile, high-scoring rookies Amet Bituin and Mikko Espartero were contained by the Bulldogs, only tallying four and two points, respectively, in the entire game.
