PUSHED to the brink by a worthy rival, National University proved once again why it’s the dynasty of UAAP men’s volleyball—clinching its fifth consecutive title and becoming the first team in the Final Four era to complete a “five-peat.”

Before a record-breaking crowd of 14,517 at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Bulldogs capped off their finals comeback with a commanding 25-16, 28-26, 25-23 sweep of No. 1 seed Far Eastern University in Game 3 of UAAP Season 87.

NU joins FEU (1946–1958) as only the second men’s volleyball program to win five straight championships.

Head coach Dante Alinsunurin again proved his mettle, steering NU to its seventh title in 10 straight finals appearances.

Despite a dominant first set, NU let a 20-12 lead slip in the second as FEU’s Dryx Saavedra scored four straight points to tie it at 23-all. A costly attack error by Leo Ordiales brought NU to set point, but the Bulldogs committed an error and Luis Miguel answered with a clutch hit to give the Tamaraws a 26-25 edge.

But substitute Jade Disquitado—who delivered the match-winner in Game 2—rescued NU once again, scoring three consecutive points to seal the second set and give NU a crucial 2-0 lead.

In the third, NU trailed 19-21 before surging ahead with four straight points: back-to-back hits from Buds Buddin and Peng Taguibolos, followed by errors from Miguel and Charles Absin.

Miguel momentarily stopped the slide, but a service error handed NU championship point. Amet Bituin saved one for FEU, but Leo Aringo delivered the final blow—a soft tip that sealed the title.

NU had dropped Game 1 after squandering a 2-1 lead, falling 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, as the rookie-heavy FEU squad showed poise against the four-time champs at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In Game 2, NU nearly collapsed again, but held firm to win 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11 in front of 9,977 fans to force a rubber match.

The elusive 26th championship remains out of reach for FEU, which last won in Season 74 (2012), breaking UST’s four-year reign. They again fell short in their first finals appearance since 2019—against the same NU squad that continues to stand in their way.