National University completed a rare championship sweep against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 men’s and women’s volleyball tournaments on Wednesday, May 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

A mammoth 22,505 crowd witnessed the double coronation that came in four sets for both squads. 

The feat was last achieved by Ateneo in Season 77. 

In the women’s play, the Lady Bulldogs reclaimed the championship victory after turning back the undermanned Golden Tigresses side, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16. 

From ending a 65-year title drought in Season 84, NU refused to be left empty-handed for a very long time, not when everything aligned for them. 

“Ever since talaga solid yung character nila kaya kapag sinabi nilang babawi, babawi talaga I think that’s what set them apart sa iba,” added the returning tactician, now a champion coach.

Now two-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen’s brilliance came as no surprise as she remained consistent all game long. 

However, Alyssa Solomon was valuable as well and was named Finals MVP after posting high numbers for NU in the championship series. 

Interestingly, doubts started to surround the Lady Bulldogs after suffering a nasty straight-set defeat at the very hands of the Golden Tigresses in the opening day of the tournament. 

In the men’s action, defending champion NU captured its fourth straight title and sixth in nine Finals stints. 

All under the guidance of its long-time mentor Dante Alinsunurin, the Bulldogs became only the second team in the Final Four era to secure a rare four-peat which was last achieved by the Golden Spikers 13 years ago. 

With back-to-back Best Setter and two-time Finals MVP Owa Retamar showing the way, NU fully got back at UST this season.

Two of the Bulldogs’ three losses in the eliminations came from the Josh Ybañez-led Golden Spikers. 

But the right time was definitely on NU’s side as it completed a series sweep over UST, an occasion much more important the eliminations could have possibly been looking back. 

With one goal, NU is on top of the rest.