Buds Buddin has endured untimely injuries for the past two seasons, and yet he has only come back stronger to reinforce National University’s historic feats.
During the Bulldogs’ rare four-peat title conquest in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament, the 23-year-old outside hitter missed half of the season due to a fractured right hand.
This time, Buddin suffered a right ankle sprain that sidelined him for two games including NU’s Game 1 loss to University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four.
But he was determined to make the season count and eventually helped guide NU to its 10th straight finals appearance in his return.
“Actually, hindi pa ako one hundred percent. Kasi talagang masakit pa ‘yung injury. Thankful ako sa conditioning coach namin and PT (physical therapist), every time and kahit gabi nagtitiyaga siya sa akin sa dorm [checking in on me], and i-work out ‘yung ankle ko. Lagi silang nandyan para sa amin. Kahit anong iniinda namin, nandyan sila to make it better. Araw-araw hindi sila natutulog para ma-monitor ‘yung mga masakit sa amin,” Buddin said.
“Nasa isip ko noon na kailangan ko agad makabalik. Kahit hindi ako one hundred percent, kailangan ko makabalik. Kailangan ko makapag-contribute sa team. Hindi ko naman hahayaan na matalo ‘yung team namin eh. Isa na ako sa mga senior ngayon, so ‘yung mga senior before us tyinaga nila ‘yung four-peat. Ayoko lahat masayang ‘yun. Nu’ng nag-rehab ako, I was persistent sa bawat session. Sabi ko as soon as makabalik ako, I will contribute,” he continued.
Buddin stayed true to his words and dropped 20 points that went with 11 receptions as the Bulldogs lived to fight another day against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals on Wednesday.
NU’s longtime mentor Dante Alinsunurin thought long and hard about who to field in for the position vacated by Buddin, but ultimately, he saw the latter’s unwavering leadership.
“Dalawang araw ko pinag-isipan kung sinong gagamitin ko [for the position]. Pero nu’ng gabi before the game naisip ko na kailangan ko ng meron nagl-lead sa loob ng court. Hindi lang nagsasalita, importante kasi ‘yung gumagalaw din kung ano ‘yung trabaho niya. Naging maganda ‘yung resulta kasi may nagli-lead talaga, hindi lang nagsasabi kung anong gagawin, pati siya tinatrabaho niya. Pumupuntos siya, dumedepensa siya,” said Alinsunurin.
After a fierce showdown, NU escaped FEU in five sets, with middle blocker Obed Mukaba backstopping Buddin with 20 points of his own including six of the Bulldogs’ 13 blocks.
“Nu’ng fifth set this Game 2, sabi namin hindi pa naman tapos until lumalaban pa tayo. Sanay naman tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, every single point kailangan pagtyagaan lang,” Buddin said.
“Mas lumabas lang siguro ‘yung maturity namin, ‘yung experience namin nakatulong. And nakita namin naging advantage ‘yung blockings. Doon nag-start mapunta sa amin ‘yung momentum,” he said.
While NU shoots for its fifth consecutive UAAP title, FEU guns for its first crown in 13 years in Game 3, on Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News