By NIKOLE JAVIER
Buds Buddin missed half of UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament, but when he came back he was unstoppable for the better of it.
National University endured 18 grueling games all season long on its way to its fourth straight crown, with Buddin missing the first nine games due to a fractured right hand he sustained a week before the tournament kicked off.
Feeling defeated and sorry for himself, the sophomore spiker almost gave up playing entirely if it weren’t for the trust and faith his coaches had in him.
“‘Yung mental health ko naapektuhan sabi ko parang wala na akong future sa volleyball at talagang umayaw na ako. Pero naisip ko ‘yung family ko na walang tutulong sa kanila, ayun dahil doon kaya ako bumalik para sa family,” Buddin said.
“Sobrang thankful sa mga conditioning coaches ko. Sila ‘yung nag-guide sa akin noong nagkaroon ako ng fracture sa kamay and siyempre sa other coaches ko [like Dante Alinsunurin] kahit na nagka-injury nandoon pa rin ‘yung trust nila sa akin,” he added.
On May 15 in front of a season-high crowd turnout 17,505, the Bulldogs completed a rare four-peat title conquest in the men’s division following a brilliant championship series sweep of the feisty University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers.
But Buddin getting the trust he needed during his recovery was no surprise as he has been a key player for NU since his debut last year that saw him finish as the Second Best Outside Hitter.
The 22-year-old Buddin poured everything in NU’s last nine games where he even dropped a career-high 32 points against De La Salle Green Spikers in their Final Four playoff for the last twice-to-beat advantage.
Under the guidance of long-time mentor Dante Alinsunurin, the Bulldogs lifted their sixth trophy in nine straight Finals stints, having Buddin in the last two.
With the goal achieved and his career finally looking up again, Buddin is nothing short of satisfied for how everything eventually fell into place for him and NU.
“Sobrang saya siyempre kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung pinakaunang goal ko, makabalik at makatulong sa team. Siguro naman nagawa ko ‘yung part ko kasi na-achieve namin ‘yung goal ng team which is to complete the four-peat,” he said.
