Buds Buddin did not hold back his tears after the NU Bulldogs sweep the UST Golden Spikers in the Final Four and advance to the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
Buds Buddin couldn’t hold back his tears after the NU Bulldogs’ victory against the UST Golden Spikers, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 87 Final Four rubber match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, May 7.
Coming back from a right ankle sprain, Buddin was brought in the second set, where his presence alone was a huge boost for the defending champions.
The reigning Finals MVP eventually finished with seven points to go along with nine excellent receptions.
“Actually, kahapon palang talaga nire-ready ko na sarili ko eh,” Buddin said during the post-game press conference. “Pagka-ready, tinawag na ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Ito na ‘yung chance ko ulit.’”
“Inisip ko nalang na parang last game nalang kasi do-or-die na eh. Thankful ako na kahit may iniinda ako onti, binigay pa rin samin,” he added.
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But the road to recovery wasn’t easy at all for the 23-year-old star spiker, who missed the Bulldogs’ last two games, including their Game 1 defeat to UST.
That’s why Buddin had to let out his emotions as NU moved one step closer to their five-peat aspirations.
“Actually, grabe lang struggles ko when it comes to rehab. Talagang piniga ako eh para makahabol ako dito,” said Buddin. “Hindi ko na naiwasan maging emosyonal kasi nakuha namin ulit ‘yung gusto namin na makapasok ulit ng Finals.”
“Siyempre, ‘yung effort ng bawat isa sa amin na ang dami namin sinakripisyo para dito and nakita ko unti-unti nagbubunga kaya ayun, tears of joy.”
The Bulldogs will now head into the Finals, where they will face the top-seeded FEU Tamaraws starting on Sunday, May 11, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
But even with the few days of rest, Buddin is still unsure whether he will be at 100%. Nonetheless, the NU superstar will be sure to give it his all come the Finals.
“Hindi ko kasi masasabing 100% ako eh,” Buddin admitted. “Sabi ko nga sa mga coaches ko kanina, pag pinasok talaga ako, siguro ‘yung power hindi ko mabibigay sa inyo pero ‘yung skills and experience siguro ‘yun ang mapapakita ako.”
“Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy and sana mabalik ‘yung 100% ko.”