National University secures second seed, beats De La Salle in five-setter

National University secured the second seed in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament by defeating De La Salle University in a five-set match on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mhicaelo Buddin delivered a career-high performance with 32 points, including crucial hits that sealed National University’s victory and earned them a semis bonus for the Finals.

Nico Almendras added 15 markers while Choi Diao contributed 11 points; Obed Mukaba missed the game due to illness.

Despite trailing in the fifth set, Buddin rallied with three of the last four points to end the match, which lasted two hours and seventeen minutes.

De La Salle's Noel Kampton led his team with 22 points, while JM Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao had 20 and 19 points respectively; they now need to win two consecutive games against National University to reach the Finals on Wednesday at the same venue.

NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed satisfaction over his team's performance and their twice-to-beat advantage.