Photo: UAAP

 

By Nate Castillo

 

Defending champion National University turned back upset-conscious University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 29-27, 25-19, to set its six-peat bid in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament in motion Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

 

National team standouts Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Jade Disquitado and Peng Taguibolos delivered the goods for the Bulldogs, who faced stiff resistance in the first two sets before keeping their distance throughout the third frame after building an eight-point advantage.

 

Photo: UAAP

 

“Happy and nervous at the same time in our situation. It’s our first game and expectations are high, especially we have national team players in our team,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin. 

 

“Really excited with the result of the game. Although we had some lapses in our offense and passing but we were able to control our blocking,” added the Alas Pilipinas assistant coach.

 

Photo: UAAP

Buddin had 16 points coming from 11 kills, three kill blocks and two aces along with eight excellent reception while Ordiales scored nine of his 11 markers on attacks. Disquitado and Taguibolos contributed eight each in their return to collegiate wars fresh off a bronze medal finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

 

Photo: UAAP

 

NU got into trouble in the second frame after squandering a 20-15 advantage as the Golden Spikers made a run to reach set point, 24-23. The Bulldogs saved a point but again went down, 26-25.

 

NU regained the lead, 27-26, but the Golden Spikers equalized before Disquitado and Obed Mukada finished the set with back-to-back kill blocks.

 

The Bulldogs built a 13-5 separation in the third frame and never looked back.

 

Josh Ybanez, who played libero for Alas, Trevor Valera, Sherwin Umandal scored eight each for UST.

 

In the first game, rookie Jims Ducusin made his presence felt powering Adamson University to a gritty 26-28, 26-24, 30-28, 22-25, 15-12 escape over Ateneo de Manila University.

 

The 19-year-old homegrown talent delivered 23 points on 20-of-45 attacks, along with two blocks and an ace, including crucial points that helped the Falcons snatch the morale-boosting win in two hours and 30 minutes.

 

Ducusin scored four points in the fifth set, three of which came as Adamson broke away from an 8-8 deadlock to take a 13-9 lead.

 

The Blue Eagles inched back within two points with an Aimar Okeke drop ball, 12-14, but their comeback hopes ended after reigning Most Valuable Player Kennedy Batas’ serve gave the Falcons their game-winning point due to a wrong server call.

 

Joel Menor made the most of his court time, contributing 17 points, while Ahmed Tahiluddin added 14 points and 21 excellent receptions.

 

Lourenz Domingo delivered 19 excellent sets, and middle blockers Leo Coguimbal and Garces chipped in eight points each.

 

Returning Nigerian outside spiker Okeke led Ateneo with 23 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Amil Pacinio added 20 points and eight digs. Jian Salarzon had 17 points, and Batas scored six points in limited action off the bench.