NU survives massive rally, breaks FEU’s heart for historic men’s volley 5-peat

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The mighty NU Bulldogs capture the first UAAP men's volleyball five-peat since 1951 as title-seeking FEU once again suffers a playoff heartbreak

MANILA, Philippines – Their walls may crack with the passage of time, but the NU dynasty will not crumble just yet.

Despite falling in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball finals, the mighty Bulldogs rallied in the next two games, capped by a gripping 25-16, 28-26, 25-23 Game 3, to conquer the gutsy FEU Tamaraws and complete their historic five-peat on Saturday, May 17, at the rocking Mall of Asia Arena.

With their women’s team already immortalized in championship lore last Wednesday, May 14, with a series sweep of La Salle, the men followed suit with the same grit and composure in front of 14,517 fans, clinching the first five-peat since the legendary FEU program won 12 straight from 1946 to 1958.

Leo Ordiales led the balanced attack in the nail-biter with 13 points off 10 attacks and 3 blocks, while Peng Taguibolos stood tall with 5 hits and a game-high 5 rejections for 10 points.

Captain and top support option Leo Aringo was named Finals MVP after tallying 9 points, 10 excellent receptions, and 4 digs, as Buds Buddin also scored 9 with 11 excellent receptions.

Already up 20-12 in the second set, NU nearly had a monumental collapse after giving up a massive 14-5 fightback, even conceding set point first to FEU, 24-23, and again at 26-25, before clutch hero Jade Disquitado woke up with three straight blockbuster bombs – his only points of the match – to steal a commanding two-set lead.

It was all the headway the battle-worn champions needed to keep control of the third frame despite falling behind, 21-19, and complete the five-peat journey, eclipsing the last closest attempt by UST from Seasons 70 to 73 in 2010 to 2013.

With the heartbreaking series loss, the hunt for championship No. 26 will continue for the contending Tamaraws — now a 13-year drought dating back to Season 74 in 2012. – Rappler.com