The NU Bulldogs re-assert themselves as the team to beat after biting back against the unbeaten FEU Tamaraws.
The FEU Tamaraws’ unblemished start has come to an end in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
After a dominant nine-game winning streak, the Tamaraws were unable to fend off the five-peat seeking NU Bulldogs, who scored a 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 15-9 statement win over the weekend at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Apart from giving the Tamaraws a reality check, NU now forces a traditional Final Four in the men’s volleyball tournament, while getting even with their Round 1 loss to the Morayta-based squad last February 23.
“Nung natalo kami noong first round, straight set, medyo masakit sa part namin, medyo bumaba ‘yung morale namin noon. Nung nakuha namin itong game na to, kahit papaano talaga umangat ‘yung morale ng bawat isa,” ace spiker Michaelo “Buds” Buddin told The GAME moments after the win.
Set 4 proved to be the turning point of the weekend matchup, with Buddin and fellow wing spikers Leo Aringo and Leo Oridales taking turns in poking through the FEU defense, which was greatly aided by errors from the Morayta-based squad throughout the period.
Come Set 5, it was practically all NU, going on a fiery 5-1 start built on two blocks from Peng Taguibolos, an off-speed hit by captain Aringo, and an ace from Buddin. From here, it was all cruise control for the defending champs as they finally penetrated the once-dominant Tamaraws.
‘Yung kumpyansa namin, medyo lumabas na kasi andon na ‘yung momentum namin nung fourth set eh, na-start na namin, so parang pagpasok namin ng court, tinrabaho talaga namin ‘yung momentum namin kasi alam naman namin for the past few days talaga, tinrabaho talaga namin ‘yung floor defense, attacks, and ‘yung blockings then nakita namin na lumabas kanina,” Buddin explained post-game.
“So every time na nakakapuntos kami, talagang ini-enjoy namin every moment. Kasi alam naman namin na walang pressure sa amin e, and nasa kanila. So every time na naka-score kami, ini-enjoy lang namin hanggang sa unti-unti lumalabas kung ano ‘yung tinatrabaho namin during training.”
Ordiales led the Bulldogs’ assault with a career-high 19 points on 14 spikers, three blocks and two aces. Buddin followed with 16 markers, which included a personal 4-0 spurt in Set 4, which sealed the 25-14 victory, while adding seven digs and seven receptions.
Aringo had himself another stellar two-way effort, chipping 14 points, 20 receptions, and five digs. Middle blockers Taguibolos (10 points) and Obed Mukaba (6 points) also accounted for five of the Bulldogs’ 14 rejections, giving the Tamaraws a taste of their own medicine from the Round 1 sweep.
“Happy ako kasi nakita ko kung talagang lahat gusto mag-contribute eh, hindi lang nasa first six eh, makikita mo talaga ‘yung bench, talagang nag-eenjoy na rin sila and nagchi-cheer na rin sila,” said Buddin. “Everytime, talagang lagi sila may sinasabi na ‘Kuya ganito, ganyan kasi sumosobra ka!’ So nakita mo talagang kahit ‘yung bench namin nag-contribute hindi lang sa loob ng court pati sa labas talaga.”
All-out swagfest
Along with their fiery play on the Taraflex, the Bulldogs’ victory was also marked by their highly animated celebrations as they began pulling away in Set 4.
With all the confidence in the world, there was captain Aringo hyping the crowd up at the Araneta Coliseum, while Buddin and Ordiales each had their moments of passionate screams after tearing through the FEU defense among many other celebrations.
By Set 5, you had Taguibolos flexing his biceps, while Ordiales and Mukaba had a “shoot for the stars” kind of celebration as the Tamaraws were effectively neutralized. There was an extra bout of emotion in this matchup, and the Bulldogs didn’t hide it one bit.
One may see this as a bout of overconfidence, but the squad knows it is a show of their true character on the Taraflex.
“Siguro kasi personality talaga namin pagiging makulit na eh, so parang hindi na siya nawawala sa amin, kahit nga during training o walang training yung kulit namin andun na eh! So dinala lang namin sa game kasi gusto namin na kung sino talaga kami, maipakita namin sa Philippines, sa buong mundo na ito talaga kami,” Buddin explained.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin believes that the Bulldogs have begun finding their groove, especially after a see-saw start to their title defense campaign.
“Sa ngayon nila nasimulan kasi sabi ko nga noong nakaraan, talagang, sobrang nahibig lang kami sa ginagawa namin. Sobrang gusto namin lahat na itama kaya talagang nagiging seryoso kami,” Alinsunurin said. “Ngayon, siguro sabi ko sa kanya na kailangan na maging masaya kami sa lahat ng gagawin namin.”
While he may not always favor his team’s “swag” moments, what’s most important for Alinsunurin is that they are gaining much-needed momentum for Season 87, especially after struggling to establish a rhythm throughout Round 1.
“Ito ‘yung gusto namin mangyari sa loob ng court, ito ‘yung talaga yung valuable na gusto namin, ‘yung gumanda yung laro namin. Doon talaga nag-start eh, kaya nga noong napikit na lang ako, hindi ko nalang sila titignan. Importante, tutuloy-tuloy ang ginagawa nila, tutuloy-tuloy ‘yung puntos namin,” the champion mentor said.
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.