NU survives UST to move a win away from UAAP men's volleyball three-peat

National University is now a win away from its third straight UAAP men's volleyball championship.

The Bulldogs survived a tough University of Santo Tomas squad, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11, to inch closer to the crown on Wednesday in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Michaelo Buddin had 26 points in the five-set match on top of 26 receptions, while Nico Almendras had 20 points on 18 attacks and two blocks, which included the game-winner in the afternoon's affair, which extended their winning streak to 33.

Josh Ybañez had 28 points while Rey de Vera had 19 points in the losing affair for the Golden Spikers.

Game 2 of the finals will be played on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News