The NU Bulldogs continue their mastery over the FEU Tamaraws with a clean sweep, while the Ateneo Blue Eagles end their UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball campaign with a straight-set win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, April 24.
National University rolled past Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, to gain the solo second place in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Wednesday, April 24.
The victory moved the Bulldogs to an 11-3 record as they secured at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
NU will await whether De La Salle University (10-3) can win its final match against the University of Santo Tomas (8-5).
Tied at 16-all, the Bulldogs scored three-straight points, two of which came from setter Owa Retamar. NU would maintain the lead as Choi Diao sealed the win after a kill block on Lirick Mendoza.
Buds Buddin led the way for the Bulldogs with 17 points built on 15 attacks, one block, and an ace to go along with 11 excellent receptions. Nico Almendras and Leo Aringo added 15 and 11 markers, respectively.
Retamar orchestrated NU's attack with 17 excellent sets along with eight points on two attacks, five blocks, and one ace.
Despite the loss, FEU remains as the top seed heading into the Final Four.
JayJay Javelona was the lone double-digit scorer for the Tamaraws with 13 points.
In the first game, Ateneo de Manila University ended its Season 86 campaign with an impressive straight-set victory against Adamson University, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17.
The Blue Eagles finished fifth place with an even 7-7 record, the same card it had last season, falling short again of the Final Four.
During a closely contested third set, Ateneo surged ahead, with Ken Batas taking charge in the latter stages while benefiting from errors made by the Soaring Falcons to secure the victory.
Jian Salarzon continued to lead Ateneo with an impressive tally of 21 points, which included two blocks, nine excellent receptions, and seven digs, supported by Batas, who contributed 12 points and eight digs.
Jettlee Gopio added eight points in his final appearance for the Blue Eagles, while Amil Pacinio made a notable contribution with four points alongside exceptional floor defense, recording 17 receptions and nine digs.
For Adamson, Jude Aguilar led the scoring with 12 points, as they concluded the season in sixth place with a 4-10 record.
Marc Paulino added nine points to the tally, with Joel Menor contributing seven points for the Soaring Falcons.
The match marked the final appearances of Gopio, Cyrus De Guzman, and James Licauco in the Blue Eagles' uniform, while Francis Casas concluded his tenure with the Soaring Falcons.
Ateneo captain-libero Lance De Castro is still deliberating on his potential return for the following season.