NU-Archipelago Builders have yet to lose in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, and Leo Ordiales made sure that held up. His back-to-back attacks closed out FEU-DN Steel after a late scare.

National University-Archipelago Builders beat FEU-DN Steel, 25-15, 25-21, 24-26, 25-21, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 and joined ClearSky atop the standings.

Ordiales Seals NU Win Over FEU

The Tamaraws forced an extended third set after the Bulldogs were denied a straight-set win. In a rematch of the V-League Finals, NU regrouped in the fourth to finish the job.

With the fourth set tied at 18-all, Choi Diao broke the deadlock with a quick attack and then blocked Dryx Saavedra at the net. Those plays sparked a 5-1 run that gave the reigning V-League champions a 23-19 lead.

NU wobbled when Buds Buddin was called for a catch-and-throw violation and Jade Disquitado sent an attack long, trimming the lead to two points. Ordiales answered with two emphatic attacks to seal the win and hand FEU its first loss of the tournament.

Alinsunurin Lauds NU’s Control

“Well, sobrang ganda ng pinakita namin. Sa pasa namin, sa opensa namin, maaga namin na-control ’yung game kaya sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance ng players ko,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“Pang siyam na namin ’tong nakalaban ’yung FEU ngayong taon, kaya thankful ako sa players na hindi sila nagsasawa sundin kung ano ’man ’yung gusto naming gawin sa loob ng court. Gagawin at gagawin nila para manalo,” he added.

Ordiales led NU with 20 points on 18 attacks and two aces, while Buddin had 19 points, 14 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs. Disquitado posted a double-double of 12 points and 23 excellent receptions.

Diao anchored the net defense with five blocks and 10 points. Greg Ancheta ran the offense with 25 excellent sets, and Jimwell Gapultos added 15 excellent digs.

NU faces defending champion Criss Cross on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the same venue. The Bulldogs will try to extend their winning streak to four games and stay atop the standings.

FEU slipped to 2-1 after opening with wins over AEP-Cabstars and VNS-Laticrete. It will try to bounce back against Savouge on Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.

Saavedra again led FEU with 20 points. Amet Bituin returned with 15 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Kyle Tandoc added 12 points and 24 excellent receptions.

Bituin and Tandoc had missed FEU’s previous game against VNS-Laticrete because of on-the-job training commitments. Their return gave the Tamaraws extra firepower.