James Rouven Keith R. Gamboa

The defending champions are still alive—and just one series away from repeating history.

National University extended its dominance and kept its five-peat dreams intact after surviving a spirited stand from the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigers, hacking out a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 sweep in their do-or-die Final Four showdown in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Photo Courtesy of Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 87 Media Team.

Bouncing back from their Game 1 loss to UST’s offensive onslaught, the Sampaloc-based squad showcased why they’re the league’s No. 1 blocking team, anchoring a solid defensive wall that frustrated the Tigers throughout the match.

The 22-year-old Rookie Leo Ordioles delivered an exploding 20 points built on 19 attacks and a block, lifting the Bulldogs back to the finals for the 10th straight season after being pushed to the brink in their twice-to-beat Final Four matchup.

“Para sa akin kasi kagabi, nahihirapan ako matulog talaga kasi ang dami ko iniisip. Iniisip ko na lang na maging positive lagi para hindi ako mahirapan sa laro. Kumbaga, naeexcite ako pero kinakalmahan ko lang, at buti naman, nailabas ko kung ano yung laro ko talaga,” Ordioles said.

The defending champions grabbed a slim 19-16 lead in the third set behind the efforts of Ordioles and Jade Disquitado, but a spike from Al-Bukharie Sali and a costly Bulldog error sparked a UST run that tied the game at 23-all.

Earlier in the second frame, Josh Ybanez’s backrow attacks gave the Tigers a 14-9 edge, but the defending champions roared back as returning Michaelo Buddin poured in three clutch points to fuel a comeback and steal the set, 25-23.

In the opener, Ordioles came out firing with seven points off aggressive swings, anchoring NU’s early momentum and net defense to hold off a late UST surge and take the first set, 25-23.

Back at 23-all in the third, Buddin delivered a sharp cross-court kill to bring NU to match point, before Disquitado sealed the deal with a clever off-the-block hit that crushed UST’s comeback hopes.

Disquitado ended with 14 points, while Buddin, returning after a two-game absence due to injury, chipped in seven timely markers.

On the other hand, Ybanez led the Tigers with 14 points, while Gboy De Vega and Trevor Valera followed with 12 and 9, respectively.

NU will be out to snatch their 5th-consecutive UAAP title against the top-seeded FEU Tamaraws starting in Game 1 on Sunday.