S87 Men's Volleyball Finals: NU-FEU face off on sudden death Saturday

Game on Saturday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. – FEU vs NU (Men Finals)

FIVE-PEAT seeking National University and Far Eastern University clash for one final time to cap a historic UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Finals on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs showed tremendous composure as they rallied from a 5-8 hole in the decider to beat the Tamaraws, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, before a record men's volleyball crowd of 9,977 fans Wednesday to force a deciding Game 3.

It all boils down to who wants it more between the two teams in the do-or-die match at 2 p.m.

A victory will complete NU's golden double for a second straight season to follow up the women's team championship conquest earlier this week.

Eyeing to cement their status as the modern-day powerhouse, the Bulldogs are gunning for a seventh title overall.

A win away from extending the dynasty that started in UAAP Season 81 (2018), NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, regardless of the result, knows that the Bulldogs program remained sound despite losing key players from last season's title run.

"Well, sa tingin ko yung tiwala samin nila. Yung trust nila samin na every time, kung sino yung player naming kinukuha or yung kinuha na… Alam nila na yung tiwala nila samin talagang sinusuklian nila. Yun na yung nakikita ko kaya umaangat yung programa namin sa NU volleyball kaya ayun," said Alinsunurin.

("Well, I think it's their trust in us. Their trust that every time, whoever the player we bring in or choose... they know that we repay that trust. That’s what I see, and that's why our NU volleyball program continues to rise.")

Buds Buddin, who hammered 20 kills in the series-tying win, is no stranger to big games, having learned from the seniors in the Jhocson-based squad's previous championship run.

"Siguro mas lumabas lang siguro yung maturity namin sa court. Yung experience namin siguro mas lumabas. Ayun, siguro, ang nakita ko lang naging advantage din namin siguro is yung naging blockings din namin. Nache-check namin hanggang sa nako-convert namin into points. Dun nag-start yung momentum, na napunta sa amin," said Buddin.

("I think our maturity on the court came out more. Our experience really showed. Also, I think one of our advantages was our blocking. We were able to check and convert those into points. That’s where the momentum started, and it went our way.")

The most successful program with 25 championships, FEU hopes to learn the lessons from the Game 2 defeat and move on to end a 13-year drought.

Coach Eddieson Orcullo remains confident that the Tamaraws can regroup and end the Bulldogs' reign.

"Yung nangyari yun sa game namin, siguro, test of character sa bawat isa sa amin. Coaches, players, and supporters, siguro, dyan makikita yun, diba? Kung nananalo tayo lahat, kakampi mo, ngayon natin makikita kung sino talaga yan sa side mo pagka nandito ka sa ganitong sitwasyon," said Orcullo.

("What happened in our game, I think, was a test of character for each of us—coaches, players, and supporters. That’s when you really see who’s truly on your side. When you're winning, everyone’s with you. But in this kind of situation, that’s when you see who really is.")

How to handle leads is what FEU is trying to figure out, especially during crunchtime.

"Maganda kasi pag yung nakakauna talagang advantage ka. Siguro, ano lang, trabahuin namin ulit. Dapat makauna, kasi pag ka lagi lumalamang sila, ang hirap habulin talaga. Lalamang ng lima hanggang anim, medyo, sobrang hirap kumayod eh, hirap gapangin," said Orcullo.

("It’s really an advantage when you get ahead. I think we just have to work on it again. We need to get ahead because if they always take the lead, it’s really hard to catch up. When they lead by five or six, it’s very difficult to grind and chase.")

Charles Absin, the Tamaraws' middle blocker, recognized the fact that NU's experience in the league's biggest stage was the key to equalizing the series.

"Yung nangyari po ngayon siguro mas nangibabawa yung pagiging champion team nila kasi nagdedefend sila ng championship title nila pang five-peat na nila," said Absin.

("What happened today, I think, was that their identity as a champion team stood out more, because they’re defending their championship and going for a five-peat.")

"Yung lesson namin ngayon, sigurong mas maging compose namin yung next game. Di pa naman tapos yung laban eh, may isa pa. So yun, pagkatapos nga ng game agad kanina sabi ko, sige lang, may isa pa. May isa pa sa Saturday," he added.

("The lesson for us now is probably to be more composed in the next game. The fight isn’t over yet—there’s still one more. Right after the game earlier, I said, 'It’s okay, there’s still one more. One more on Saturday.'")

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team