Owa Retamar and the NU Bulldogs are headed to the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of his graduation day, Owa Retamar made sure to bring National University to its second straight finals in his last playing year in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament.
Facing their toughest opponent in the Final Four, the Bulldogs leaned on the star setter with 21 excellent sets to eliminate La Salle, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, in Season 86 on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU dominated the frontline against the Green Spikers, nailing five of the team’s 10 blocks.
LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 86 volleyball Final Four May 8
“I’m the type of player who doesn’t want to lose. Every game is important to me, especially this one since it’s my final year and my graduation is tomorrow,” said Retamar in Filipino after maximizing their twice-to-beat advantage.
“Nico [Almendras] should lead this team but our younger teammates have been proving that they can carry this team. That’s why we reached this far.”
The ‘four-peat’-seeking Bulldogs were pushed to the limits by the Green Spikers in their playoff last Saturday before pulling off a five-set win to take the No.2 seed. Retamar focused on their blocking, which served as their edge in their Final Four game.
Owa Retamar and the NU Bulldogs are headed to the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“That five blocks came from our hard work because we focused on dominating the blocking of this game,” said Retamar, who will graduate from NU’s College of Business and Accountancy- major in financial management. “We don’t know our opponent yet but we will prepare and work on our teamwork because in this game we still made some lapses.”
Coming off a 32-point explosion in the playoff game, Buds Buddin led NU with 23 points built on 19 spikes, two aces, and two blocks, while Nico Almedras chipped in 14 points and 14 excellent receptions.
READ: UAAP: NU Bulldogs survive La Salle for Final Four edge
“I wasn’t the key to this series win alone. Our effort and perseverance to score every point and the instructions of our coaches were the huge factors to earn this finals [berth],” Buddin said.
Leo Aringo had 11 points, while Jade Disquitado came off the bench in the last two sets and finished with eight points including the finals-clinching spike.
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, Owa Retamar, and Buds Buddin after reaching the #UAAPSeason86 Finals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/vtwAsd3LyI
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 8, 2024
Five-time champion coach Dante Alinsunurin praised La Salle after a hard-fought series before becoming the happiest man in Philippine volleyball right now with two finals with NU and Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
“Our journey this season to the finals wasn’t easy but credit to my players and coaching staff for their support all throughout the season and showing how we wanted to achieve [another championship] this year,” Alinsunurin said.
La Salle leaned on JM Ronquillo’s 27-point explosion including three bocks. Vince Maglinao had 17 points, while Billie Anima and Noel Kampton added 12 points each with Eco Adajar dishing out 23 excellent sets.