Far Eastern University's Dryx Saavedra. UAAP Media

MANILA, Philippines – Five-peat seeking National University and challenger Far Eastern University clash for one final time in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Finals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs showed tremendous composure as they rallied from a 5-8 hole in the decider to beat the Tamaraws, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, before a record men's volleyball crowd of 9,977 fans Wednesday to force a deciding Game 3.

It all boils down to who wants it more between the two teams in the do-or-die match at 2 p.m.

A victory will complete NU's golden double for a second straight season to follow up the women's team championship conquest earlier this week.

Eyeing to cement their status as the modern-day powerhouse, the Bulldogs are gunning for a seventh title overall.

A win away from extending the dynasty that started in UAAP Season 81 (2018), NU coach Dante Alinsunurin, regardless of the result, knows that the Bulldogs program remained sound despite losing key players from last season's title run.

"Well, sa tingin ko 'yung tiwala samin nila. 'Yung trust nila samin na every time, kung sino 'yung player naming kinukuha or 'yung kinuha na… Alam nila na 'yung tiwala nila samin talagang sinusuklian nila. 'Yun na 'yung nakikita ko kaya umaangat 'yung programa namin sa NU volleyball kaya ayun," said Alinsunurin.

READ: UAAP: Buds Buddin, championship experience keep NU’s 5-peat hopes alive

Buds Buddin, who hammered 20 kills in the series-tying win, is no stranger to big games, having learned from the seniors in the Jhocson-based squad's previous championship run.

"Siguro mas lumabas lang siguro 'yung maturity namin sa court. 'Yung experience namin siguro mas lumabas. Ayun, siguro, ang nakita ko lang naging advantage din namin siguro is 'yung naging blockings din namin. Nache-check namin hanggang sa nako-convert namin into points. Dun nag-start 'yung momentum, na napunta sa amin," said Buddin.

The most successful program with 25 championships, FEU hopes to learn the lessons from the Game 2 defeat and move on to end a 13-year drought.

Coach Eddieson Orcullo remains confident that the Tamaraws can regroup and end the Bulldogs' reign.

READ: UAAP: Bulldogs bite back, outlast Tams to force Game 3 for men's crown

"'Yung nangyari 'yun sa game namin, siguro, test of character sa bawat isa sa amin. Coaches, players, and supporters, siguro, dyan makikita 'yun, diba? Kung nananalo tayo lahat, kakampi mo, ngayon natin makikita kung sino talaga yan sa side mo pagka nandito ka sa ganitong sitwasyon," said Orcullo.

How to handle leads is what FEU is trying to figure out, especially during crunchtime.

"Maganda kasi pag 'yung nakakauna talagang advantage ka. Siguro, ano lang, trabahuin namin ulit. Dapat makauna, kasi pag ka lagi lumalamang sila, ang hirap habulin talaga. Lalamang ng lima hanggang anim, medyo, sobrang hirap kumayod eh, hirap gapangin," said Orcullo.

READ: UAAP: FEU out to end NU's dynasty in men's volleyball

Charles Absin, the Tamaraws' middle blocker, recognized the fact that NU's experience in the league's biggest stage was the key to equalizing the series.

"'Yung nangyari po ngayon siguro mas nangibabawa 'uung pagiging champion team nila kasi nagdedefend sila ng championship title nila pang five-peat na nila," said Absin.

"'Yung lesson namin ngayon, sigurong mas maging compose namin 'yung next game. Di pa naman tapos 'yung laban eh, may isa pa. So yun, pagkatapos nga ng game agad kanina sabi ko, sige lang, may isa pa. May isa pa sa Saturday, he added.

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