The NU Bulldogs turned back the UST Golden Spikers in straight sets to take Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball finals on Saturday, May 11.
National University is one win away from securing a historic four-peat in UAAP men's volleyball, taking down the University of Santo Tomas in straight sets, 25-17, 26-24, 25-18, in Game 1 of the Season 86 Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 11.
Despite being the higher seed and winning last year's Finals over UST, this is the Bulldogs' first win over the Golden Spikers in Season 86.
NU came into the match with a point to prove, distancing itself early with a dominant set 1 victory.
The Golden Spikers, however, would show their fight in the second as they managed to keep the game close all throughout the set.
Down 22-24, UST turned to reigning MVP Josh Ybañez to tie the game and force an extended set. However, Buds Buddin connected on an emphatic attack, before Ybañez's attack hit the antenna to seal the set for NU.
Riding on that momentum, the Bulldogs overpowered the Golden Spikers in the third set, going on multiple runs to build a six-point lead at 22-16.
From there, Buddin and Nico Almendras secured the Game 1 win for NU after back-to-back hits.
NU's deadly trio of Buddin, Almendras, and Leo Aringo fired on all cylinders in the series opener. Almedras led the Bulldogs with 16 points along with 19 excellent receptions, while Buddin and Aringo had 16 and 15 markers, respectively.
Owa Retamar orchestrated NU's masterful Game 1 victory with 24 excellent sets, to go with five points on two attacks and three blocks.
Ybañez, on the other hand, was the lone double-digit scorer for UST with just 11 points.
Game 2 of the Finals is set on Wednesday, May 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay at 2:00 p.m.