NU sinks fangs into UST squads to close in on UAAP crowns

The only thing that matters for National University (NU) now is that the next time it crosses paths with University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball finals, it will go for the kill.

That goes for both the school’s men’s and women’s teams.

The Lady Bulldogs, for one, are confident that unlike last year, when they lost to De La Salle University in the Finals, they can bring home the trophy this time.

“We don’t want a repeat of last season where there was a part of us that believed La Salle can beat us,” NU’s star hitter Bella Belen told the Inquirer on Saturday. “Our confidence now in the team and in ourselves has changed that even if we lost three times this season, I never doubted that we can get the championship this season.”

HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP Season 86 volleyball Finals NU vs UST Game 1

That belief was manifested by NU, which drew first blood in their Finals series against UST, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20, in front of 20,955 energetic fans clad in yellow and blue at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With wounds of last year’s championship heartbreak against the Lady Spikers still fueling NU, the Lady Bulldogs don’t want to waste any moment in reestablishing themselves as the queens of UAAP volleyball.

“It’s a new season where we have a chance to become champions again so we can’t waste any time because we don’t want to have what ifs again like last season,” Belen added.

READ: NU Lady Bulldogs dominate UST Tigresses in UAAP Finals Game 1

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are on the verge of extending their reign to a fourth consecutive championship after they crushing bit the Tiger Spikers, 25-17, 26-24, 25-19, in their own Game 1 duel—and the reigning champs minced no words about what they intend to do in collegiate men’s volleyball.

“We are focused on our goal to dominate volleyball here in the UAAP,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

Michaelo Buddin, who missed NU’s preliminary assignments—both losses—against UST, channeled his hunger to make up for nine missed games due to a fractured hand into a 16-point performance that led the Bulldogs.

“I came to a point that I couldn’t contain my excitement but my older teammates reminded me to keep my emotions in control so I slowly got my momentum in the game,” Buddin said.

‘UST will prepare’

Graduating outside hitter Nico Almendras also had 16 points and 19 excellent receptions. Leo Aringo contributed 15 points, three coming from blocks as graduating skipper Joshua Retamar tossed 24 excellent sets.

“Our goal is to graduate with the four-peat, which of course we won’t get easily if we don’t work for it,” Almendras said.

Both NU squads can clinch their titles in Game 2 on Wednesday.

“I need to be able to calm down because we won one game and for sure a lot of us will say ‘Game 2 is already ours’ … but tomorrow is another day and for sure UST will prepare,” said Belen, who finished with 13 kills to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

READ: UAAP: Advice from Jaja Santiago spurs Alyssa Solomon on

“In this game, we needed to give our 100 percent effort so we won’t have any regrets after,” she said.

Alyssa Solomon backstopped Belen with 17 points highlighted by 13 attacks, three blocks and an ace, Vange Alinsug 12 points and Sheena Toring 10 points, three also coming from blocks.

Even as NU took the first set, the match was a nip-and-tuck affair until an unfortunate incident caused an obvious shift in momentum.

The Tigresses lost its most valuable weapon, Angge Poyos, with the game tied at 11 in the second frame after the super rookie rolled her ankle when she landed on the foot of teammate Em Banagua.

Poyos was helped off the court and coach KungFu Reyes said his wards’ foot swelled up but would need to undergo tests to verify the gravity of her injury.

“We know that [the Tigresses] will not back down easily because everyone has a chance to become a champion this season. As long as the season is not yet done and we still are not the champions, it’s not yet over and we won’t stop learning,” Belen said.