S87 Men's Volleyball: NU and UST face off for last Finals spot

Game on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. – UST vs NU (Men Final Four)

NATIONAL University takes on a rejuvenated University of Santo Tomas side on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the deciding match of the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The second-ranked Bulldogs put their five-peat bid on the line in the 2 p.m. match against the No. 3 Golden Spikers, who are eyeing the Finals berth even without twice-to-beat protection for a second straight year.

UST displayed resiliency in the first two sets and recovered from a rough patch in the third to beat NU, 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18, in the Final Four opener.

The winner of the do-or-die clash will play top-ranked Far Eastern University in the best-of-three series starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Big Dome.

"Sobrang nagkumpyansa kami sa laro. Sobrang kumpyansa talaga. Para sa akin, 'yon lang yung naging problem talaga kasi nandoon naman kami nung first and second sets. Talagang nalagay lang namin yung sarili namin sa alanganin na sitwasyon kung saan nagrelax kami. Pero sabi ko nga, sa pagkatalo, may chance pa para makabawi," Bulldogs coach Dante Alinsunurin.

"Dapat ipakita nila yung itsura at yung manner na gusto nila manalo para sa NU," he added.

The Bulldogs hope to have a healthy Buds Buddin, who is dealing with a right ankle sprain, in the decider to stand a chance.

Coach Odjie Mamon's main concern is how the Golden Spikers will muster enough energy to hurdle another must-win match and reach the championship for a third straight season.

"Kung sino kasi ang makapagrecover and prepare in such short amount of time, yun ang papasok sa Finals. I also want to take advantage of the momentum, so definitely we will prepare for Wednesday," Mamon.

UST pulled off an element of surprise by starting Gboy de Vega, who played sparingly in the eliminations, to help out reigning two-time MVP Josh Ybañez and Jay Rack de la Noche on offense.

As NU is now setting its sights on him, De Vega wants to elevate his level of play after contributing 14 points in Game 1.

"Sa akin naman, naging mindset ko po ay there’s this person na nagsabi samin na don’t stay in your past. Kumbaga, kung ano yung mga nangyari before, tapos na po yun eh kaya win yung sinisigaw namin na what’s important is now. Nageemphasize kami kung gaano kaimportante yung kasalukuyan kasi yun lang yung kaya namin controlin at yun yung kaya namin paglabanan," said De Vega.

"Yung past, tapos na talaga eh. So yun, yung mindset ko, yun nga, what’s important is now kaya yung point na inaano namin, pinaghihirapan talaga namin, each and every point, and each every set, and hanggang sa nakuha namin yung isang game," he added.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team