MANILA – Defending champion National University (NU) survived University of the Philippines (UP), 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
NU capitalized on the crucial errors by UP’s Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem and delivered key plays, including an ace from Leo Aringo, to establish a 22-18 lead in the fourth set.
Although the Fighting Maroons fought back to cut the deficit to 22-20, NU closed out the match with consecutive points from Ordiales and Jenngerard Diao, as well as a service error by Clarence Santiago.
NU improved to 4-1, while UP absorbed its fifth consecutive loss for an overall 1-6 card.
UP, behind Castrodes, took the third set by taking an early 12-5 lead.
“Our main problem in the third set was our unforced errors and whenever we gained momentum, we would lose it. In the fourth set, we just set our minds on making sure that everything we did was certain. We couldn’t afford to doubt ourselves,” NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
“I told them that whenever we face a tough situation, we should go back to the basics and just enjoy what we’re doing. Also, every time we do something good, we should celebrate it because, in some way, it helps boost each other’s confidence,” he added. / PNA
