Facing elimination, rookie opposite hitter Leo Ordiales made sure the NU Bulldogs kept their five-peat hopes alive after sweeping the UST Golden Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 Final Four.
The NU Bulldogs are back in familiar territory—and they did it by finally unlocking the full potential of one of their most promising stars.
With rookie opposite hitter Leo Ordiales leading the way, the Bulldogs swept the the UST Golden Spikers, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, in their do-or-die Final Four match in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, May 7.
Ordiales fired a game-high 20 points, built on 19 attacks and a block, powering the Bulldogs to their 10th straight Finals appearance.
“Sa akin, sa wakas, ito lang 'yung talagang hinahanap namin sa kanya every time nang naglalaro kami kasi alam namin 'yung kapabilidad niya para maglaro,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said during the post-game press conference.
“The way kami mag-practice, the way kami nagpunta sa ibang basa kasi alam namin na marami siyang bibigay sa amin at malaking tulong sa amin pag nasa loob siya.”
[ALSO READ: NU keeps five-peat bid alive after staving off UST in Final Four rubber match]
Ordiales, who has often flashed promise in spurts, finally delivered when it mattered most.
“Para sa akin kasi kagabi, nahihirapan ako matulog talaga kasi ang dami ko iniisip,” Oridales admitted. “Iniisip ko na lang na maging positive lagi para hindi ako mahirapan sa laro. Kumbaga, nae-excite ako pero kinakalmahan ko lang, at buti naman, nailabas ko kung ano 'yung laro ko talaga.”
While the numbers were solid, it was Ordiales’ poise and composure that impressed many, especially in his rookie year—something even he credits to lowering his expectations.
“Siguro less muna ako sa expectations para hindi ako ma-pressure. Laruin ko lang ulit kung paano 'yung kinikilos ko. Huwag lang marami iniisip para maka-perform pa rin,” said Ordiales.
[ALSO READ: Buds Buddin cries ‘tears of joy’ after injury return in NU’s Final Four victory vs UST]
NU will now face the FEU Tamaraws in the best-of-three Finals series starting Sunday, May 11, in what promises to be a showdown between the top two teams of the season.