The NU Bulldogs bagged their third consecutive championship title after sweeping the UST Tiger Spikers, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The Tiger Spikers failed to thwart NU’s perfect run despite putting up a gallant stand in Game 1, which the Bulldogs won in five sets.
Back-to-back Michaelo Buddin kills and a Kennry Malinis attack gave NU the first set advantage, 25-20.
The Tiger Spikers struggled to keep up with the Bulldogs late in the second set as NU’s Nico Almendras scored three straight kills followed by a set-clincher by Malinis, 25-21.
The Bulldogs continued their dominance in the third set after orchestrating a 6-0 run to take a 20-14 lead.
The Tiger Spikers trimmed the lead to three, but it was all too late as Buddin’s drop sent NU to championship point, 24-20.
An error by newly crowned Most Valuable Player Josh Ybañez allowed NU to walk away with the title.
Ybañez, who is also the season’s top rookie, led UST with 13 markers, while Gboy de Vega added 10 points.
Buddin, who won the 2nd Best Outside Hitter award, led the Bulldogs with 20 points, while Almendras had 14 points.
UST rookie Jay Rack De la Noche, in his second game since his SEA Games stint, bagged the Best Opposite Spiker award.
Joshua Retamar, who had two block points and 17 excellent sets, bagged the Finals MVP title.
