National University set up a semifinals showdown with unbeaten Far Eastern University after sweeping De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-19, 25-19, 31-29, on Saturday, September 12. A win over FEU on Sept. 20 would clinch the Bulldogs’ semifinal berth.

The sweep at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City was NU’s second straight, following a similar sweep of Mapua last Wednesday. The Bulldogs have dropped just five sets through their first five matches of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge.

Bulldogs Weather Benilde’s Late Rally to Complete Sweep

NU took control early, cruising through the first two sets before Benilde mounted a late charge in the third. Mike Balbacal’s crosscourt attack gave the Blazers a brief 22-21 lead as the set tightened.

Leo Ordiales then converted an off-the-block hit to put NU at match point, but Benilde’s John Estrada answered with a tip to force a deuce. Four more deadlocks followed before Godfrey Gamboa took over late.

Gamboa closed out the set with a quick hit and a block to complete the sweep for NU. Ordiales finished as the game’s top scorer with 19 points on 18 attacks, while Jade Disquitado added 14 markers.

Dela Cruz Credits System As NU Preps for Asian Games Duty

NU assistant coach Ariel “Dong” Dela Cruz, filling in for head coach Dante Alinsunurin, credited the sweep to the team sticking to its system. “We just stuck to our system, especially since coach Dante wasn’t around,” he said, per a translation.

He added that the coaching staff simply told the players to trust the game plan. “We got a little shaky in the third set because the boys relaxed a bit, but I knew they could still take it,” Dela Cruz said.

Alinsunurin missed the match due to prior commitments with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in Iloilo. The win doubled as a final tune-up for four Bulldogs before Asian Games duty.

Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos, Ordiales, and Greg Ancheta will soon join Alas Pilipinas for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Buddin scored eight points with three aces, while Taguibolos added seven points for NU.

Ancheta also ran NU’s offense efficiently, delivering 25 excellent sets in the win. His setting helped fuel the balanced scoring attack that carried the Bulldogs through the sweep.

For Benilde, Reymark Betco led all scorers with 20 points, while Rocky Motol chipped in 13 in the loss. NU now shares the top spot in the standings with Letran at 4-1 heading into its showdown with FEU.