NU, UST dispute the last finals ticket in UAAP men’s volleyball

Game on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2 p.m. — UST vs NU
(men’s Final Four knockout)

IT’S win or go home for four-peat National University (NU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) as they dispute the last finals ticket in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball knockout on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 2 p.m. with the UST Golden Spikers looking to complete an improbable feat of eliminating the NU Bulldogs after a stunning Game 1 win to neutralize a twice-to-win disadvantage.

A win by Santo Tomas would deny NU a five-peat with an early semifinals exit and arrange a best-of-three finale showdown against No. 1 seed Far Eastern University, which drubbed de La Salle University in one attempt, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20.

“We just lived to fight another day,” said coach Odjie Mamon, looking to seal the deal amid an expected strong retaliation from the four-peat champion.

Momentum it is for the UST Golden Spikers, led by reigning MVP Josh Ybañez and Gboy de Vega, after scoring a 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18 win in the series opener to force a winner-take-all Game 2.

That proved as a stark contrast in their last four meetings all won by the NU Bulldogs, including a sweep in the Season 86 finals to clinch their fourth straight title.

Expect the NU Bulldogs, under the tutelage of Dante Alinsurin, to fight back with all their might to protect their dynasty with Leo Aringo, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos and Jade Disquitado leading the way. — John Bryan Ulanday