The Bulldogs are now a win away from retaining the UAAP championship.
“Sobrang worth it.”
This is what Buds Buddin said after the National University Bulldogs scraped past University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11 in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball finals on Wednesday.
It's understandable. For a team that breezed through the season for an outright finals berth, the undefeated Bulldogs had to bleed to score this one victory.
NU almost squandered an early 2-0 lead in sets as the Golden Spikers rallied behind Josh Ybañez and GBoy De Vega.
Down by 5 points in the fourth frame, UST leaned on the two with De Vega nailing the quick attack to put UST at set point. Buddin then committed an attack error to end the set that spanned 42 minutes.
The deciding set was just as tough for the Bulldogs, before breaks came their way after a Tracy Prudenciado errant receive put NU at match point. The Bulldogs then turned to their greatest strength as Nico Almendras denied Jay Rack De La Noche’s attack from the right flank to win the game.
Buddin had nothing but praise for the Golden Spikers.
“Grabe ‘yung system ng UST talaga. Sobrang nahirapan kami. Lumalaban talaga sila,” Buddin said in the postgame interview. He finished with 26 big points in the classic match at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The high-flying spiker stressed the importance of drawing first blood in the best-of-three finale.
“Siyempre sobrang halaga kasi finals na ‘to. Sobrang dikit, pero napanalo namin kaya sobrang saya namin,” he said.
The reigning champions will have the opportunity to retain the crown when the two teams face again in Game 2 on Sunday at the same venue.
(GM)