Bulldogs force Game 3 vs Tamaraws

MANILA, Philippines -- National University forced a winner-take-all Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Finals after grinding out a five-set win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Bulldogs were down late in the fifth set, but recovered just in time to keep their five-peat hopes alive.

Buds Buddin and Obed Mukaba teamed up in the huge Game 2 win with 20 points apiece. Leo Ordiales added 13 markers.

After a wild see-saw battle through the four sets, FEU were ahead by three points, 8-5, in the fifth set after a net touch by NU.

But back-to-back attack errors by Mikko Espartero, followed by a Buddin off-the-block attack and back-to-back errors by Lirick Mendoza and Dryx Saavedra, pushed the Bulldogs ahead by two, 10-8.

A drop attack by Mendoza and an attack error by Buddin tied things up anew, but a kill and a block by Buddin, as well as an error by FEU, pushed the Bulldogs firmly ahead, 13-10.

An Ariel Cacao block on Buddin kept the Tamaraws in it, but an off-speed attack by Leo Aringo, as well as a block by Jade Disquitado on Saavedra, sealed the deal for NU.

Leo Ordiales had 13 points for NU while Aringo chipped in 10. Greg Ancheta tossed up 21 excellent sets.

Saavedra finished with 24 points for FEU in the losing effort. Amet Bituin and Chad Absin backstopped with 10 and nine markers, respectively.

Game 3 will be on Saturday, 1 p.m., at the same venue.