UAAP: NU beats UST to second seed, carries twice-to-beat advantage into Final Four

National University has claimed the last twice-to-beat advantage after outlasting University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26, in the playoff for second position on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Bulldogs swiftly redeemed themselves after a tough loss last Wednesday versus UST, which activated the playoff for number two.

Michaelo ‘Buds’ Buddin led the Blue and Gold in its charge today, having an all-around performance of 20 points, 21 excellent receptions, and six digs.

“Every game kasi para sa amin is crucial,” said Buddin on NU’s motivation to win today and coming into their title defense starting in the Final Four.

“Syempre, may mga pangarap kami, [and] hindi lang para sa sarili namin kundi 'yun nga sa mga coaches namin na andiyan para laging gumagabay sa amin since day one. Gusto lang naming suklian lahat ng paghihirap nila para sa amin; gusto namin lahat 'yun maging worth it,” added the outside spiker. 

(Every game is crucial for us... Of course, we have high hopes. Not just for ourselves, but for our coaches who are always there to guide us since day one. We just want to repay them for the hard work they do for us, we want all of that to be worth it.)

Eager to make amends for two consecutive losses to end the elimination round, NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin communicated to his boys to play freely and with no pressure heading into their run-in with the Golden Tigers.

“Talagang sobrang gusto nilang tapusin agad sa mabilis na paraan. Pero sabi ko, hindi kailangan maging mabilis; ang importante lang, mag-focus kayo kung ano 'yung gusto nating mangyari sa loob ng court,” maintained Alinsunurin.

“Sabi ko maglaro lang kung paano tayo maglaro sa loob ng court. Kahit may pressure, walang pressure, basta importante focus tayo sa bawa’t possession o bawa’t sitwasyon na meron tayong nangyayari,” he added.

(We really wanted to end it in quick fashion. But I said, it doesn't have to be fast, the important thing is you stay focused on what we want to happen inside the court... I said to just play how we usually play. Even if there's pressure or there's no pressure, the important thing is focus on each possession and situation in front of us.)

Conceding its four-point cushion in the middle of the fourth canto, the Bulldogs stayed relentless in its pursuit to close out the game, going toe-to-toe with UST heading into an extended set.

With the match hanging in the balance at 26-apiece, a pivotal John Catinsag service error followed by three NU blockers smothering presumptive season Most Valuable Player Josh Ybañez’s back row attack, the Bulldogs emerged victorious and with the twice-to-beat advantage, 28-26.

National team member Leo Ordiales paced his teammate Buddin with a team-high 22 points to go along with five excellent digs.

Meanwhile, the España-based squad will look to extend its season when it faces NU again in the Final Four. Ybañez led UST with 20 points on 19 attacks and 16 excellent receptions, while captain Dux Yambao served up 29 excellent sets.

—JMB, GMA News