Defending champion NU eyes a 10th straight Finals appearance as the Bulldogs meet rival UST Golden Spikers in the semifinal round.
The road to a fifth consecutive UAAP men’s volleyball title begins with a familiar script for the NU Bulldogs.
Four-time defending champions National U will open Season 87’s Final Four festivities against a team they’ve grown used to seeing on the postseason stage — the third seed UST Golden Spikers.
Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the no. 2 Bulldogs seek to become the first team to barge into the Finals this Saturday spikefest scheduled on May 3 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.
Tip-off is at 10:00 a.m.
This marks the third consecutive year that NU and UST cross paths in the postseason with their previous two meetings being in the championship rounds of Seasons 85 and 86 — both of which ended with the Bulldogs lifting the trophy.
National U closed the elimination round on a sizzling six-game win streak, finishing with a 12-2 record.
The Bulldogs swept their season series against the Golden Spikers, 2-0, to extend their head-to-head win streak to four straight games dating back to last year. Their last encounter? A composed 25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22 victory last April 27.
Jade Disquitado uncorked a team-high 23 points while Leo Ordiales supplied 15 markers built on 12 attacks and three blocks.
Peng Taguibolos chipped in 10 points as Greg Ancheta tossed 28 excellent sets.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]