Defending champion National University goes for the coup de grace against University of Santo Tomas in Game 2 of the finals to rule the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men's volleyball tournament unscathed today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs aim to claim their third straight title when the pivotal match of the best-of-three series begins at 2 p.m.

With luck on its side, NU escaped a furious series opening battle that needed five sets to be decided last Wednesday for its 15th straight win of the season and 33rd overall since 2019.

The breaks of the game in the closing junction of the fifth set saved the Bulldogs from an upset, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11, as the Golden Spikers threw away four straight costly errors late in the game.

But for leading Best Setter contender Owa Retamar, NU can't just rely on luck this time to finish off UST.

"We are really in for a tough battle here in the finals. UST caught us off guard, luckily, we're able to get the win (in Game 1)," Retammar said.

"We need to address the problems we had on offense and blocking as well as in screening in service. We need to adjust quickly to whatever changes UST will do," he added.