The Bulldogs are the top dogs at the end of their elimination campaign.
The UAAP Season 85 men's volleyball tournament remains to be a dog show.
The National University (NU) Bulldogs on Saturday completed a 14-0 eliminations sweep after weathering the challenge from the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-11, 28-26, 16-25, 25-23.
This assured the Season 81 titleholders an outright finals berth to defend their title after the long pandemic break.
Incidentally, the two-time defending champions are the first men's squad to achieve the immaculate feat since Ateneo in Season 79.
Team captain Joshua Retamar was hailed the Player of the Game with 22 excellent sets, four points, two attacks, and two blocks. His playmaking allowed Michael Buddin to score 19, while Kennry Malinis pitched in with 17, and Nico Almendras with 12.
"Sobrang saya kasi 'yung men's volleyball nagbabalik ulit. Siyempre, NU finals ulit," Almendras told the UAAP Varsity Channel.
Meanwhile, Ateneo would have to hold on to a slim chance to reach the Final Four.
The Blue Eagles would have to pray for a loss from either the De La Salle Green Spikers or the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to compete in a playoff for the fourth seed.
(With reports from Julio Gabriel, UAAP Varsity Channel)