NU shows heart and grit on their way to an epic Game 2 comeback against the FEU Tamaraws.
National University lives to fight another day.
With their backs against the wall, the Bulldogs showed their championship composure, outpacing the FEU Tamaraws in a cardiac 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-10 Game 2 of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Finals before nearly 10,000 fans on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The game, however, was nearly a repeat of Game 1, where the Bulldogs squandered a crucial 2-1 set advantage to the Tamaraws en route to a series-opening loss. In Wednesday’s game, the Bulldogs seemed all ready to force a do-or-die Game 3 after taking Set 3, 25-15, only to turn in an error-filled fourth frame that helped FEU to force another fifth and deciding set.
By Set 5 even, FEU seemed all set to end NU’s five-peat aspirations, taking a huge 8-5 advantage following a crucial net call against the Bulldogs.
But it was at this point that National U began showing their championship heart, responding with a game-sealing 10-2 run built on clutch kills from Buddin, captain Leo Aringo, Peng Taguibolos, and a decisive final block from outside hitter Jade Disquitado.
Further aiding National U’s cause in Wednesday’s thriller were crucial errors from the Tamaraws, with four of their 30 unforced errors aiding the defending champs’ furious rally. Service specialist Jonas Hernandez was equally important in National U’s Set 5 comeback, living up to his billing as his heavy serving prevented FEU from activating their offense in the endgame.
“Kahit di na kami magkarinigan and nagkakatinginan na lang kami kung anong dapat gawin sa loob ng court, sobrang thankful ako kasi nag-deliver talaga sila lalo nung fifth set. Lamang ang FEU ng tatlo, and sabi ko sa mga player ko, kailangan lang bumalik tayo and kailangan lang natin gawin kung ano ‘yung ginagawa natin sa training. Hindi pupwede na may sitwasyon na susuko tayo, kaya sobrang proud ako sa team ko na inilaban nila hanggang fifth set,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin aid.
Buddin himself also vouched for National U’s championship composure, believing that it was that very experience that helped them weather another FEU comeback in Game 2.
“Nung fifth set, hindi pa naman tapos, and nandito nanaman tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Sanay tayo sa ganitong sistema, so tiyagain natin, na every single point makapuntos tayo, isa-isahin natin hanggang sa nag-bunga lahat ng efforts ng bawa’t isa samin. Hindi lang sa loob, pero kundi sa labas, lahat nagchi-cheer and ang laking impact na nakita namin ‘yung crowd, and teammates namin na gustong gusto nilang makuha ‘yung game.”
Built on championship heart
Leading NU’s epic Game 2 comeback was outside hitter Buds Buddin with a game-high 20 points in his return to the starting six despite his ongoing recovery from an ankle sprain. The outside hitter remains far from 100 percent, but nonetheless showed on Wednesday why he has been the Bulldogs’ heart and soul upon taking a leadership role for Season 87.
“Ginagawa niya ‘yung trabaho niya, na pumupuntos siya at dumedepensa siya, and kaya sobrang thankful ako sa performance niya ngayon kasi kahit na may iniinda siya, lumaban talaga. Every time na titingin ako sa kanya, talagang sinasabi niya na ‘Coach, ipasok mo ako!’. Eh as a former player naman, ayoko i-risk, pero kahapon, kinausap ko ‘yung conditioning coach ko and kahit anong mangyari, ilalaban ko, and ginawan nila ng paraan na maayos ang igagalaw niya,” Alinsunurin said of Buddin’s Game 2 performance.
Along with Buddin’s return to the starting lineup, another key boost was middle blocker Obed Mukaba, who added his own 20-point outing built on an efficient 14-of-21 spiking clip, to go along with six huge rejections as he was given extended minutes by Alinsunurin. Mukaba, a third-year middle blocker, complemented the outputs of NU’s wing spikers that also included captain Leo Aringo (10 points, 17 receptions) and towering opposite Leo Ordiales (13 points).
“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 3,” Mukaba said.
“This game was very important for us because, like you said, it was [a] do-or-die. We just try to give our best into 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,” added the middle blocker, who was greatly involved by setter Gregg Ancheta on offense throughout Wednesday’s game.
Alinsunurin was most impressed with his middle blocker’s performance, knowing the impact that he brings as a leader on top of being a reliable player.
“Sakin, hindi lang naman more on scoring or more on blocking hinahanap ko sa kanya eh. Pati ‘yung leadership niya, kasi isa na siya sa mga leader eh, so siguro may mga game talaga na ‘di siya maka-lead dahil nagsa-struggle siya sa mga ginagawa niya. Pero thankful ako sa performance niya ngayon, and talagang hinabaan niya ‘yung pasensya niya sa loob ng court.”
Game 3 is scheduled for this Saturday, May 17, also at the Pasay-based venue.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.