With several top players back from national team duties, National University overcame a tenacious Colegio de San Juan de Letran side, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24, to boost its semifinal drive in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
Leaning on their championship experience, the Bulldogs held their composure in the tight fourth set, with Buds Buddin stepping up in the clutch. The two-time SEA V-League Best Outside hitter delivered back-to-back kills before forcing Letran's Bembem Bautista into an attack error.
That sealed NU's second consecutive win and fourth overall against two setbacks for joint third with the UST Golden Spikers in the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.
The FEU Tams and the La Salle Green Spikers lead the semis race with 6-1 and 5-1 slates, respectively.
At presstime, UST is competing against ousted Ateneo, which holds a 1-4 record.
"Nakikita mo naman na although nasa rank 4 kami ngayon no, nag-iimprove naman 'yung mga players na hindi ko usually nagagamit, syempre do'n nga sa national team. Pero nga sabi ko, kailangan lang naming ma-maximize kung sino 'yung naiiwan ay 'yung pwede pang maglaro 'pag dating sa mga ganitong situation," said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin, reflecting on the team’s adaptation to player absences this season.
Leo Aringo, the standout for the reigning four-time UAAP champions, once again led the charge, tallying 20 points from 17 attacks, two blocks and an ace. His performance anchored NU’s one-hour-and-47-minute triumph against the rising NCAA powerhouse.
Buddin, on the other hand, made a powerful return with 20 points of his own, matching Aringo's output with 19 attacks and a block.
Meanwhile, fellow Alas Pilipinas player Peng Taguibolos contributed 10 points, including key service aces that shifted momentum in the second and third sets.
Letran, for its part, drew 17 points from Bautista while Steven Sta. Maria added 16 markers. The Knights concluded their campaign with a 2-5 record.
