By NIKOLE JAVIER
In front of 17,089 crowd, National University only needed an extra set before fully flexing its might against University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-14, to capture its fourth straight title in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Finals on Wednesday, May 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For back-to-back seasons, the Bulldogs turned back the feisty Golden Spikers to complete its four-peat title conquest and extend their dominance in the men’s division.
NU, in its ninth straight Finals appearance, has also become the first squad in 13 years to complete the rare four-peat title run.
Interestingly, the España crew was actually the last side to achieve the exact feat which it completed from Season 70 to Season 73.
Buds Buddin, who missed nine games for NU in the eliminations due to a fractured right hand, has consistently top-scored for the reigning champions since returning from the injury.
And the championship series was no different as it saw Buddin register a monstrous game-high 28 points built on 22 attacks, five blocks and one service ace in just four sets.
Graduating playmaker Owa Retamar was hailed back-to-back Finals Most Valuable Player following a fine display in the championship sweep, leading the Bulldogs to a balanced scoring all season long.
In Game 1, Retamar tallied 24 excellent sets that went with five points off two attacks and three blocks in just three sets to steer NU to only its first victory over UST this season last May 11.
It took some time, but it was the sweetest as it can be.
For the last time in his collegiate career, the 22-year-old Retamar had 26 excellent sets on top of three points in Game 2.
Retamar brought his usual high-flying wing spikers to double figures, with Leo Aringo delivering 22 points off 18 attacks, three blocks and one service ace while newly-awarded Second Best Outside Hitter Nico Almendras added 18 markers highlighted 15 kills made.
Josh Ybañez, who was earlier honored for winning his second straight MVP plum,
was UST’s pacer in the heartbreaking championship series as he posted his usual high numbers with 24 points all on attacks made, while Gboy De Vega had 15.
The Bulldogs ran out of steam in the second set which was the most tightly contested set and the last time the Golden Spikers ever came close to extending the series.
However, NU stepped on the gas and went full throttle in the last two sets, leading by as big as 12 points, 20-12, in the fourth set.
Almendras, who was playing in his final year in the UAAP, sealed the sweet victory on a through-the-block hit to help NU lift its sixth trophy in nine championship appearances all under the guidance of its long-time mentor Dante Alinsunurin.
