Mark Lee Budias was key in a five-set victory for UE against Adamson in UAAP Season 88 as the Red Warriors were able to clinch their first win since Season 86.
It was a long time coming, but the UE Red Warriors finally found themselves in the win column of UAAP men’s volleyball.
Going up against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, February 21, UE snapped a 23-game losing skid that has spanned three UAAP seasons, winning a five set thriller, 25-21, 19-25, 28-30, 27-25, 15-12, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
While most would crumble under the pressure of not having won a game in so long, the Red Warriors kept their head down and stayed working.
[RELATED: UAAP: UE claims long-awaited breakthrough after five-set escape vs Adamson]
Among the keys to victory was rookie hitter Mark Lee Budias.
And while he hadn’t been there throughout all the struggles, he knew how much it meant for the Mendiola-based squad to finally get over the hump.
“Emotional sa una pero, overwhelming kasi for two years, hindi nakapanalo, and now nakakuha na kami ng panalo and magwwork hard pa po kami hindi lang po this game, [kundi] sa susunod na game [din],” Budias told One Sports after the match.
Budias was one of three Red Warriors in double digit scoring, led by Raquim Aceron who uncorked a monster double-double of 24 points and 21 excellent receptions.
Cjay Nabora also had an all-around game, registering 17 points, seven excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.
For Budias, he was more of an offensive weapon with 16 markers.
Step in the right direction
The win isn’t going to satisfy the Red Warriors, though.
With the rest of the season still ahead of them, Budias and the rest of UE will look for even more victories down the line.
Already with their foot in the door with the one win, there’s room for more breakthroughs in the coming days.
“Syempre, totodo parin sa training. As a rookie kasi, overwhelming. Kasi pagpasok namin, eto nakapanalo kami, and yun nga, totodo lang sa training and yun nga presence of mind lang sa court,” he said.
At the end of the day, Budias was happy to be able to repay the trust of those who believed in the Red Warriors despite all the setbacks in recent years.
“Thank you po sa UE community and all supporters. The pep squad, and the teachers also,” said Budias.
UE will be set for a litmus test in their succeeding game, though, with the capable UST Golden Spikers next on their schedule on Saturday, February 28, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.