UAAP men’s volleyball Finals preview: Talent-rich NU, FEU renew rivalry
FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs face off for the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball championship. –MARLO CUETO
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament FINALS
MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in six years, National University and Far Eastern University square off once again for the UAAP men’s volleyball supremacy.
But Season 87 tells a different story, with FEU emerging as the top dog following an impressive 13-1 finish in the elimination round.
That lone defeat? It came at the hands of the very team chasing a historic five-peat—NU–in what has been their most turbulent campaign yet.
READ: UAAP: NU foils FEU’s sweep bid in men’s volleyball
Now the league’s best collide again in a fresh edition of the NU-FEU finals beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rivalry Renewed
FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 men’s Final Four. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
The Tamaraws are back in the finals for the first time since being swept by the Bryan Bagunas-led Bulldogs in Season 81.
This time, former Tamaraw Jude Garcia—now part of FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo’s staff and a three-time Spikers’ Turf MVP—is on the sidelines helping steer a new generation of Tams.
Led by Dryx Saavedra and Miko Espartero, FEU looks to end NU’s reign and deliver the school’s 26th men’s volleyball title—and its first since 2012.
FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo, Dryx Saavedra, Mikko Espartero, Ariel Cacao, and Doula Ndongala celebrate their finals entry. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/vlr31DrRvH
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 3, 2025
The Tamaraws showed they could beat NU, stunning the Bulldogs with a 27-25, 25-14, 25-23 sweep in the first round of eliminations.
READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU ends finals drought, ousts La Salle
However, NU returned the favor in the second round, dealing FEU its only loss of the season, 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 15-9, in March and denying the Tamaraws an outright finals berth.
FEU went on to close the eliminations strong and dispatched La Salle in the Final Four. NU, meanwhile, battled injuries—including a right ankle sprain to Buds Buddin—and was pushed to a knockout semis match by past finals rival UST.
But the Bulldogs survived. Leo Ordiales rose to the occasion, while Buddin made a spirited return to lift NU to a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 win over UST on Wednesday—securing their 10th straight finals appearance.
Champions vs Challengers
NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Final Four. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin credited his squad’s composure in the semifinals, but he knows the finals will be a far greater challenge.
“We’re just going to stick to what we’ve been doing, the same mindset every game and during practice. Even if we’ve already faced them twice, we’ll keep studying what else we can improve,” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Ordiales after reaching the finals. #UAAPSeason87 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
· Follow our live updates for the UAAP Men's Volleyball Final Four here: https://t.co/hFMUkTdL6z pic.twitter.com/yL74yrkwJ7
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 7, 2025
READ: UAAP: NU Bulldogs reach 10th straight finals, eliminate UST
FEU, meanwhile, finally slayed the ghost of its past after falling as the top seed last year, when it lost twice to UST in the Final Four.
This time, the Tamaraws made sure not to waste their twice-to-beat bonus. But Orcullo reminder his players that their masterful season–winning 14 of 15 games–won’t mean a thing if they don’t win the championship.
“We’re extremely happy because we secured a spot in the Finals. That’s the most important thing. But this joy, you know, you have to balance it carefully because it’s not over yet. We still have games to play,” said Orcullo in Filipino.
Talent-rich series
Expect fireworks between two stacked lineups. NU brings in firepower from Buddin, Ordiales, Leo Aringo, and Jade Disquitado, while FEU parades Saavedra, Espartero, Jelord Talisayan, and standout rookie Amet Bituin.
Both squads also have a pair of talented setters with FEU parading Ariel Cacao and Benny Martinez against NU’s Greg Ancheta and Jeffe Gallego.
READ: UAAP: Injury-hit Buddin still finds ways to push NU to victory
Frontline and floor defense will be key, too. NU will be banking on middle blockers Obed Mukaba, Peng Taguibolos, and Choi Diao as well as libero Jimwell Gapultos, while FEU has Doula Ndongala, Lirick Mendoza, and Charles Absin as well as rookie defensive specialist Vennie Ceballos.
Men’s volleyball’s continued rise takes center stage at the Big Dome, as the Tamaraws and Bulldogs kick off their championship duel on Sunday.
Game 2 is on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena after the awarding ceremony. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at the same venue in Pasay City.
