May 08, 2025

NU keeps five-peat bid alive after staving off UST in Final Four rubber match

NU keeps five-peat bid alive after staving off UST in Final Four rubber match
Buds Buddin made a triumphant return from an ankle injury to lead NU past UST in the Final Four. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

The NU Bulldogs keep their five-peat bid alive after shutting the door on the UST Golden Spikers in their UAAP Season 87 Final Four rubber match, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, May 7.

This will be the Bulldogs’ 10th straight Finals appearance, tying the DLSU Lady Spikers for the longest active streak in UAAP volleyball history.

Close all throughout the third set, NU turned to its trio of Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin, who returned from a two-game absence due to a right ankle sprain, to give them a three-point lead at 19-16.

But UST would not go down that easily, tying the game at 21-all after rookie Al-Bukharie Sali’s off-the-block tip.

Tied at 23-all, Budin’s cross-court attack put the Bulldogs at match point, before Disquitado sealed the victory with an off-the-block attack.

Oridales led NU with 20 points on 19 attacks and one block, while Disquitado and Buddin combined for 21 in the win.

NU will be out to snatch their 7th UAAP title against the top-seeded FEU Tamaraws starting in Game 1 on Sunday, May 11.

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