Luke Macatangay of NU in action against UST in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 19, 2025 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. PVL Media
MANILA -- National University regained its winning ways in style, outlasting University of Santo Tomas in a five-set marathon on Tuesday in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
The Bulldogs denied UST's bid for a reverse sweep, instead pulling off a hard-earned 25-19, 26-24, 16-25, 14-25, 19-17 triumph at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
With the result, the reigning UAAP champions are back in the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University. They also handed the Golden Spikers their first loss in the eight-team tournament.
It did not come easy for the Bulldogs, who needed to save four match points before claiming the win.
Without veterans Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado, who are fulfilling their national team duties with the Alas Pilipinas Men, NU turned to rookies Luke Macatangay and Yuan Mendoza for firepower. They delivered breakout performances to help the Bulldogs tie Ateneo in third place, with identical 2-2 win-loss records.
"Sobrang thankful ako kasi yung mga bata talaga, every time na may mga situation, nag-rrespond talaga sila. Although hindi pa ganoon kalinis yung ginagawa nila, sa ganitong panalo, mas makakatulong sa kanila ito and sana i-continue nila yung pagkakaroon ng ganitong mindset every game," said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
UST was first to reach match point, 14-13, in a tight fifth set, but a costly service error from Sherwin Umandal pushed the frame into extended play.
A series of exchanges between Gboy de Vega and Macatangay, coupled with crucial service miscues, deadlocked the set at 16-all. JJ Macam and Jan Abanilla then traded kills to force another tie at 17-all.
Unfortunately for UST, De Vega committed an illegal backrow attack that put National U on the brink again, and an attack error by Macam wrapped up the match in the Bulldogs' favor after two hours and three minutes.
The Golden Spikers were made to pay for their 42 unforced errors -- ten more than NU committed.
"First set pa lang tsaka second set, ang naging labanan na talaga namin is yung unforced errors. Kung sino talaga yung mas maraming unforced errors, 'yon talaga yung matatalo. Kaya nung fifth set, dapat all out lang. Kung ano 'man yung nagiging problema natin sa unforced errors, dapat i-maximize natin," Alinsunurin added.
The NU Bulldogs celebrate their win against UST in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 19, 2025 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. PVL Media
Mendoza starred with 18 points on 16 attacks, one ace, and one block, while also contributing 13 excellent digs. Macatangay backed him up with 16 points, 15 coming off attacks.
Abanilla, battling through pain, chipped in nine points and nine digs, while Choi Diao added eight points on five attacks plus three digs.
The Bulldogs' confidence-boosting victory sets the stage for a crucial rematch of the UAAP Season 87 Finals against the FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, August 24, at the Paco Arena.
UST, which had earlier strung together wins against Ateneo, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and College of Saint Benilde, fell to 3-1.
De Vega led the Golden Spikers with 23 points built on 19 attacks, two aces, and two blocks. Al-Bukharie Sali followed with 15 points but sat out most of the fifth set due to cramps. Trevor Valera added 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks, while Sean Cruz and Macam chipped in nine apiece in the losing cause.