Bulldogs move closer to UAAP three-peat  

MANILA, Philippines — Unstoppable National U fended off Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals to move on the verge of a three-peat in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Coming off a week-long break after earning an outright finals ticket with a 14-0 sweep of the elims, the top-seeded Bulldogs flaunted fresher legs down the stretch to hack out a gutsy win in two hours and 38 minutes.

Michaelo Buddin led the way with 26 points on 24 hits, a block and an ace as the Bulldogs posted their 33rd straight win in the UAAP since 2019.

Buddin added 26 receptions while Nico Almendras (20) and Ken Malinis (11) provided help with Joshua Retamar and Jann Sumagui chipping in 25 sets and 16 digs, respectively.

Game 2 is on Sunday with the Bulldogs sporting a chance to cap a perfect season for a fifth overall title.