UAAP Finals: NU Bulldogs fulfill ‘five-peat’ dream, overcome FEU
NU Bulldogs are crowned UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball champions after overcoming the FEU Tamaraws in Game 3 of the finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Finals Game 3 – NU vs FEU
MANILA, Philippines — Even when pushed to its limit by a worthy rival threatening to topple its dynasty, National University still proved to be the king of UAAP men’s volleyball for the fifth straight year.
In front of another all-time men’s volleyball gate attendance of 14, 517 fans, the Bulldogs completed a finals series comeback to become the first team in the Final Four era to achieve a “five-peat.”
READ: UAAP: Buds Buddin continues role of emotional leader for NU
Aringo clinches the five-peat for NU!#UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/oNUNWo2vwo
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 17, 2025
After a pair of five-set thrillers, NU outclassed No. 1 seed Far Eastern University in a winner-take-all Game 3, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23, in UAAP Season 87 on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
NU became just the second team overall in men’s volleyball to rule five straight seasons since way back when FEU reigned from 1946 to 1958.
Leo Aringo, who delivered the championship-clinching tip to complete history, emerged as the Finals MVP with nine points, 10 excellent receptions, and four digs.
“We already knew it was going to be a tough journey. We lost a lot of seniors, and the team was in a rebuilding phase. But Coach Dante trusted me and made me captain. I was with my fellow seniors through all the ups and downs, especially in guiding our rookies,” said Aringo in Filipino.
“Our coaches kept reminding us, no team has ever won a five-peat. It’s a hard goal, and we knew that if we pulled it off, it would be history. So we worked for it. A lot happened this season — really, a lot. But we stayed committed. We worked hard, we made sacrifices. All of us, even the coaches. And now, all those sacrifices paid off.”
Bulldogs coach Dante Alinsunurin, once again, proved to be the standard in men’s volleyball, delivering the school’s seventh championship in their 10th straight finals appearance.
“This season was really all about team effort — from the players to the coaches, my strength and conditioning coaches, and our trainers. We all worked hard, step by step. Everyone had their own role to play, and we all did our part,” said Alinsunirin, who offered his fifth straight title to his late brother, Mike.
“I’m super thankful that everything went smoothly for our team, all the way to the finals. Even when we were feeling down, our coaching staff helped the players bounce back quickly. I’m really grateful to everyone who supported us in reaching this championship.”
Leo Ordiales powered the Bulldogs with 13 points. Peng Taguibolos provided five of their nine blocks to finish with 10 points, while Buds Buddin chipped in nine points and 11 receptions.
Setter Greg Ancheta, who filled in the big shoes of two-time Best Setter and Finals MVP Owa Retamar, capped his first season as a main playmaker with 16 excellent sets on top of two points.
Despite dominating the first set, NU blew a 20-12 spread, as Dryx Saavedra willed FEU back with four straight points to tie the second set at 23-all before an attack error by Ordiales that sent the latter at set point.
An error by the Bulldogs and Luis Miguel’s clutch hit brought the Tams at set set-point advantage twice, 26-25.
READ: UAAP: NU spoils FEU’s title plans as finals goes the distance
But substitute Jade Disquitado, the match-winner in Game 2, came to the rescue for NU, scoring three straight points as the Bulldogs took a two-set lead.
NU trailed again in the third, 19-21, before tallying four straight points after back-to-back hits from Buddin and Taguibolos followed by two crucial errors from Miguel and Charles Absin for a 23-21 lead.
Miguel stopped the bleeding but committed a service error that sent the Bulldogs at championship point, 24-22, before Amet Bituin saved a point for the Tamaraws. Leo Aringo delivered the championship-clinching tip.
In Game 1, NU blew a 2-1 match advantage as FEU pulled off a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13 win, proving that a bunch of first-timers can level the experience of the four-consecutive champion last week at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs committed the same mistake in Game 2, but they refused to end their campaign with another meltdown as they hung tight to prevail, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, in front of 9,977 fans and force a rubber match.
The 26th championship remained elusive for FEU as it couldn’t win its first title in 13 years when it shattered the University of Santo Tomas’ four-consecutive reign from Seasons 70 to 73 in the Season 74 finals.
The Tamaraws, who gave up 27 errors, settled for another runner-up finish in their first trip to the championship round since 2019 against the same tormentors.
Saavedra was the lone double-digit scorer for FEU with a game-high 24 points, as Miguel provided the spark off the bench with eight points after Amet Bituin and Mikko Espartero struggled with a combined six points.
