ALAS Pilipinas members Michaelo “Buds” Buddin, Jade Disquitado and Leo Ordiales came alive in the most crucial stretch, powering defending champion National University (NU) to the cusp of extending its UAAP men’s volleyball dominance to six consecutive seasons.

The Bulldogs recovered from a shaky start, making the necessary adjustments down the stretch to outlast Far Eastern University (FEU), 21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8, and escape Game 1 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.