Jade Disquitado and Leo Ordiales powered National University-Archipelago Builders back to the win column, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers suffered a seventh straight loss. The Bulldogs swept the Cavaliers, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19, on Saturday, November 7.

NU bounced back from its first setback of the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, a loss to defending champion Criss Cross on Wednesday. The win ended the Cavaliers’ semifinal hopes at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

NU Bounces Back in Spikers’ Turf

NU dominated from start to finish to improve to 4-1 and hold third place in the tournament. The Bulldogs strengthened their bid for a top-four finish with a 64-minute rout.

Disquitado led the offense with 13 points and 10 excellent receptions. Ordiales added 12 points on nine attacks and three kill blocks.

Buds Buddin contributed 11 points and seven excellent digs, while RK Medino and Godfrey Gambo added seven and five points, respectively, off the bench. Greg Ancheta dished out 19 excellent sets.

The Bulldogs held commanding edges in attacks (44-28), blocks (9-3) and service aces (4-1). It was a convincing answer to their loss to the King Crunchers.

Ancheta credited improved service and reception. “Unang una po is tinrabaho namin ‘yung service saka reception namin kasi dun kami nagkulang kaya nahihirapan po kami makakuha ng defense dun sa laro namin against Criss Cross,” he said.

“For me as setter naging problema ko rin talaga nung game ng Criss Cross is masyado akong nagmamadali. So nag-mindset ako na kailangan kalmahan ko lang para hindi rin magbago ‘yung tempo ng laro,” he added.

NU takes on AEP-Cabstars on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. The Bulldogs will look to further strengthen their semifinal bid.

AFP Cavaliers Eliminated at 0-7

The loss officially eliminated AFP from semifinal contention and dropped the Cavaliers to 0-7. It was their seventh straight defeat in the tournament.

James Buytrago and Pol Salvador paced AFP with eight points apiece. The Cavaliers were again without Ranran Abdilla, who missed his second straight game.

The Cavaliers will try to snap their seven-game losing streak against Savouge on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 3:30 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. They are still searching for their first win of the tournament.