By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The National University (NU) Bulldogs continued its mastery over the top-seeded Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, in the ongoing UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on April 24, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, the Bulldogs just boosted its chances of a twice-to-beat advantage when the UAAP Final Four kicks off.
However, NU will have to rely on a De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers loss to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in their highly-anticipated showdown on April 27, 2024.
As of now, NU is sitting at the no.2 spot of the standings with a win-loss record of 11-3 while FEU maintained its no.1 spot with a 12-2 win-loss record.
For the second straight time this Season 86, the Bulldogs put on a masterclass against the Tamaraws and became the only team to score a season sweep over FEU.
All losses of the Tamaraws were against the Bulldogs, with the first one coming from a five-set thriller.
Michaelo Buddin grabbed the spotlight for the Bulldogs after propelling NU with a game-high 17-point performance.
Buddin was in attack mode from the get-go and provided the much-needed early offensive spark that gave NU the momentum midway through the first frame.
Aside from his scoring eruption, Buddin also stuffed the stat sheets and tallied 11 excellent receptions, a block, and a service ace.
“Sobrang happy ako sa naging performance namin. Importante lang sa amin mag training lang ulit kami kung ano man ang mangyari sa last game ng elimination round,” said NU’s long-time mentor Dante Alinsunurin
