Defending champion National University booked its ninth straight Finals appearance after turning back De La Salle, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Final Four on Wednesday, May 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Bulldogs refused to exhaust their semifinal incentive and secured the first Finals slot for its four-peat title bid. 

NU top scorer Buds Buddin, who posted a career-high 32 points to give the Bulldogs the last Final Four twice-to-beat advantage last week, scattered another team-high 23 points on 19 attacks, two blocks and two service aces as they remained dominant in over a decade. 

Senior playmaker Owa Retamar led two additional players in double figures after tallying 21 excellent sets on top of five kill blocks. 

All game long, though, Nico Almendras and Leo Aringo also provided ample support with 14 and 11 markers, respectively, to keep the Bulldogs' dominance alive and well. 

Meanwhile, opposite spiker JM Ronquillo despite leading all scorers with 27 big points for La Salle, just couldn't translate his individual brilliance to something greater than a semifinal finish. 

His usual co-stars Vince Maglinao and Noel Kampton had 17 and 12 markers, respectively, in the losing cause. 

NU had to buck a slow start before cruising control with a 2-1 set lead. 

In the fourth set, though, La Salle managed to lock the game at 14-all to fight and see another day in hopes for a season extension. 

However, the reigning champs were the first to break out of the deadlock as Buddin eventually sent NU to the match point off a powerful crosscourt kill. 

Jade Disquitado, who finished with eight points in the four-set affair, got on his feet and punctuated the match with a through-the-block hit to seal another Finals appearance for NU. 

The Bulldogs have won five times in their past eight championship appearances including three straight titles in the last six years. 

Even after three years of tournament hiatus due the pandemic, NU’s volleyball program neither wavered nor slowed down. 

On the other hand, La Salle matched its previous best finish in Season 75 in 2013 with a third place finish in the elimination round of the standings, even contending in the playoffs for one of the two coveted twice-to-beat incentives. 

Meanwhile, with no second chances in sight, top seed Far Eastern University and fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas vie for the last Finals spot in their do-or-die semifinal clash at press time.