Buds Buddin and the NU Bulldogs are no strangers to having their backs against the wall after falling short in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals against the FEU Tamaraws.
Despite falling short in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Finals, NU superstar Buds Buddin believes the Bulldogs still have what it takes to bounce back and keep their five-peat dreams alive.
NU suffered a rare Finals loss on Sunday, May 11, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, dropping a five-set heartbreaker to the top-seed FEU Tamaraws, 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 22-25, 13-15.
It marked the Bulldogs' first loss in the championship stage since Season 79.
Still, Buddin, who came off the bench and scored 12 points, remains composed.
“Siguro, mabigat sa pakiramdam ‘yung pagkatalo pero kailangan namin siya alisin sa isip namin kasi alam namin may chance pa rin naman kaming makabawi sa Game 2,” Buddin said during the post-game press conference.
“Mas focus pa kami at sa sarili mag-start kung paano kami mag-prepare, di lang sa dorm, di lang sa training, pati sa sarili siguro.”
Despite actually leading 2-1 after three sets, Buddin was also the first to admit that NU’s defeat boiled down to missed opportunities and mental lapses.
The Bulldogs committed 34 errors in the match, several of which came late in the fifth set.
“Konting disiplina pa kailangan. Nandun naman na kami, sadyang kinapos lang talaga sa dami ng errors,” Buddin bared. “’Yung sistema, ‘yung iba hindi nasunod. Siguro mas mag-compose pa kami na maglaro as a team at hindi as an individual.”
[ALSO READ: NU Bulldogs chase immortality in 5-peat quest vs FEU in UAAP Season 87 Finals]
NU appeared in control after taking the third set in dominant fashion, but failed to close the door on FEU. The Tamaraws clawed their way back in the next two sets behind timely blocks and efficient attacking.
Nonetheless, Buddin isn’t losing faith on the Bulldogs' comeback bid. After all, the defending champions were placed in a similar situation back in the Final Four against the UST Golden Spikers.
“Actually, nandun pa rin ‘yung kompiyansa kasi nakita namin na kaya namin eh,” he shared. “May mga lapses lang kaming nangyari like after namin ma-dominate ‘yung set na ‘yun, nagre-relax. ‘Yun lang naging factor na umangat FEU sa momentum, tuloy-tuloy sila.”
“‘Yun siguro ang baguhin namin sa sarili namin na after another set dapat ganun pa rin, hindi ‘yung nagrerelax kami.”
[ALSO READ: Buds Buddin cries ‘tears of joy’ after injury return in NU’s Final Four victory vs UST]
The Bulldogs aim to force a winner-take-all Game 3 when they face the Tamaraws in Game 2 this Wednesday, May 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.