UAAP: UST’s Perdido, NU’s Buddin star in crucial stretch

UST Tigresses’ Jonna Perdido, left, during a game against La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Jonna Perdido and National University’s (NU) Michaelo Buddin stepped up for their respective squads when it mattered the most in the final week of the UAAP Season 86 women’s and men’s volleyball elimination rounds.

With the No. 2 slot and the last twice-to-beat incentive at stake in the women’s play, Perdido shone the brightest for the Golden Tigresses by bringing her A-game anew against the defending champion De La Salle Lady Spikers while Buddin flaunted his fangs for the Bulldogs to earn a playoff for the same reward in the men’s division.

Their big-time performances made the difference for the crucial wins of their respective squads as Perdido and Buddin were adjudged as the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week for the first time this season from April 24 to 27.

READ: UAAP: UST clinches twice-to-beat after repeating over La Salle

Perdido proved to be vital once again when UST toppled La Salle for the second time this season, unleashing 19 points from 18 attacks and an ace in their 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 victory to secure the last Final Four bonus and finish the elimination round with a 12-2 card behind leader National U (12-2).

There will be little to no time to celebrate for Perdido and the twice-to-beat-armed Golden Tigresses, knowing that they could not let their guards down in another due against the third-seeded La Salle (11-3) their Final Four matchup with hopes of not needing to fish out the benefit out of their pockets.

“Para sa akin challenging po sila makalaban kasi nga po defending champion. Yung mindset ko lang is mag-trabaho kasi kailangan ng team and ‘yun po nag-bunga naman and super proud sa teammates,” she said.

READ: UAAP: Perdido bounces back in big UST win over La Salle

Perdido bested her teammate Angge Poyos, University of the East rookie Casiey Dongallo, NU’s Alyssa Solomon, and Lyann de Guzman of Ateneo for the weekly honor.

“Siguro po sa next laban namin is kailangan pa rin namin maging matapang sa laro and kailangan namin mag-communicate inside the court kasi ‘yun yung unang-una na kailangan namin—mag-communicate talaga,” Perdido added.

NU Bulldogs’ Michael Buddin.–UAAP PHOTO

Buddin, for his part, started for the first time this season for the Bulldogs on April 24 after recovering from a fractured right hand. And he wasted no time making his presence felt for his crew.

He poured in 17 points and caught 11 excellent receptions in a 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 rout of top-seeded Far Eastern University (12-2), which they also defeated the first time they met this season.

The Bulldogs remain in the hunt for the last twice-to-beat advantage as they fight for the No. 2 spot against the DLSU Green Spikers, with similar 11-3 records. The two will also face each other in the semifinals, making their battle a virtual best-of-three series.

But Buddin only has his team in his mind knowing the fierce competition still ahead of them.

“Kahit papaano naman, goal ko naman lagi bago ako makabalik ay maka-contribute sa team and pag-butihin ko pa lagi para sa darating na semis, para makuha namin yung goal ng team namin,” he said, banking on the full trust of coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“Based sa performance niya ngayon, siguro yun yung naging missing link namin sa past games namin na kailangan namin talaga yung mindset ni Buddin sa laro,” Alinsunurin said.

Buddin edged out his teammate Joshua Retamar, La Salle’s JM Ronquillo, UP’s Louis Gamban, and Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon for the weekly citation.