The four-time defending champions NU Bulldogs aim to bounce back in facing the UST Golden Spikers with a UAAP Season 87 Finals ticket at stake.
National U’s dynasty is suddenly on the ropes.
The four-time defending champions’ bid for a historic ‘five-peat’ — and a 10th consecutive UAAP Finals appearance — hangs in the balance as the Bulldogs tangle with the UST Golden Spikers in a sudden-death Final Four clash on Wednesday, May 7, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Match time is at 2:00 p.m.
NU was dragged to a do-or-die situation after absorbing a 24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 18-25 loss in their last outing.
The loss snapped both a six-game winning streak and a four-game mastery over UST, placing the Bulldogs in a win-or-go-home scenario for the first time in recent memory.
[ALSO READ: Josh Ybañez, UST stun NU in explosive start to UAAP Season 87 Final Four]
Leo Aringo paced National U with 18 points in the loss, while Leo Ordiales added 15 markers.
Jade Disquitado contributed 14 points, and Peng Taguibolos chipped in 10, but the Bulldogs struggled to contain a resurgent UST squad powered by MVP Josh Ybañez.
Despite the setback, the Bulldogs have one final chance to punch a ticket to the Finals, where the no. 1 seed FEU Tamaraws await.
(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.]