The NU Bulldogs inch one step closer to a four-peat after advancing to the Finals of the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, May 8.
The four-peat seeking National University is back in the Finals after closing out De La Salle University in four sets, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, May 8.
This marked the ninth-straight Finals appearance for the Bulldogs, dating back to Season 75.
Buds Buddin led the way for NU once more with 22 points, to go along with 11 excellent receptions. Owa Retamar also starred in the win with 21 excellent sets and five points.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Buds Buddin fires career-high 32 points to will NU past La Salle for twice-to-beat advantage in Final Four]
It was a tight match all throughout for the Bulldogs and Green Spikers, exchanging wins in the first and second sets.
Coming off the bench, rookie Jade Disquitado, who finished with eight points, came alive in the third set, scoring five points to bring NU to just a set away from a Finals return.
Tied at 14-all in the fourth, it was Buddin's turn to lead the Bulldogs as he fired on all cylinders, scoring five out of the six NU points to snatch a 21-18 lead.
JM Ronquillo would get one back for La Salle, however, two straight-set errors from the Taft-based squad pushed the Bulldog's lead to four.
After another Ronquillo attack, Buddin once again scored for NU to bring it match point. Disquitado then sealed the win after a tip which DLSU blockers failed to cover.
Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao combined for 44 points in the loss, which formally eliminated the no. 3 seed Green Spikers.
Middle blocker Billie Anima finished with 12 points, while Noel Kampton also added 12 for La Salle.
NU will now await the winner of the do-or-die match between Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas.