UAAP: NU holds off UST, gets big lift from Jade Disquitado
NU’s Jade Disquitado (11) celebrates during a win over UST in UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball.-UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — National University’s Jade Disquitado was extra motivated to face University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday.
Playing with added zeal, Disquitado rose to the occasion and lifted defending champion NU over UST, 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 29-27, in the teams’ first meeting since last season’s Finals.
“I’m really trying to make up for it because I haven’t won against UST since last year, even in the V-League. Every time I play, I don’t win, so I didn’t want them to beat us again with me playing,” said Disquitado in Filipino.
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NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Aringo after ending the first round on a high note. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/JJ39lkQJmJ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 16, 2025
After being at the forefront in last year’s elimination round where the Bulldogs got swept by the Golden Spikers, Disquitado was benched in the finals as NU notched its fourth consecutive championship.
Disquitado got the start this time and seized the opportunity, contributing 12 points and 16 excellent receptions.
“I’m thankful to my teammates, coaches, and family. They’re the ones who push me to keep going, telling me I can do it. For me, I just gave my best, followed the coaches’ instructions, and stuck to the system we practiced,” said the Season 86 Rookie of the Year Disquitado, who sparingly played in NU’s previous games this season due to an ankle injury.
Leo Aringo led the Bulldogs in scoring with 13 points highlighted by four blocks and seven digs. Buds Buddin delivered 11 points, while Peng Taguibolos chipped in 10 points.
Rookie setter Jeffe Gallego also provided the spark for NU after dropping the first set, pacing the team with 21 excellent sets on top of four points, while libero Jimwell Gapultos protected the floor with 15 receptions and five digs.
“I’m grateful for my team’s response every time we face challenges. In the first set, we really struggled with our reception, but we just stayed patient. It was important for us to build momentum, and by the second set, things started to go our way,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose squad chalked up its fourth straight win to up its record to 6-1 for solo second behind unbeaten Far Eastern University.
READ: UAAP: FEU upsets NU to stay unscathed in men’s volleyball
“It’s important for us that we want to win. Whatever challenges UST is facing, we really work hard for it. UST’s unforced errors also helped us a lot in securing the game.”
The Bulldogs blew a 23-20 lead in the fourth set as UST turned to John Catinsag and rookie JJ Macam to force a 24-all deuce.
UST reached the set point twice after Macam and Jay Rack Dela Noche’s hits but NU was able to save both to tie the set at 27-all before Taguibolos put them on the verge of victory with a quick attack. Aringo nailed the game-clinching block on Josh Ybañez to win their one-hour-and-49-minute match.
NU also spoiled Ybañez’s first full game since getting injured in the opener. The two-time MVP poured in 17 points only for his team to give up a season-worst 39 errors.
Dela Noche and Macam had 16 and 15 points, respectively. Trevor Valera had six blocks to finish with 10 points but they suffered two consecutive defeats to end the first round.
The Golden Spikers, the runner-up of the past two seasons, dropped to a 4-3 record, tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and La Salle Green Spikers.
Meanwhile, Olayemi Raheem dropped 22 points to end the University of the Philippines’ five-game skid with a 20-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 over Adamson.
Raheem dropped 18 spikes and four blocks to bring back the Fighting Maroons to the win column after the opener triumph. The Nigerian spiker was backstopped by Tommy Castrodes, who had 17 points, 23 excellent receptions, and 14 digs.
UP ended the round with a 2-5 record as Angelo Lagando and Angelo Lipata contributed 10 and nine points, respectively.
Adamson lost six of its first seven games amid Jude Aguilar’s 27-point explosion.
