All eyes are on Alas Pilipinas stars Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos, Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado when National University shoots to retain its dynastic rule in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men's volleyball tournament next year.

Following a stellar performance in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where they powered Alas to a bronze medal finish, thus ending a six-year medal drought, expectations are a notch higher for the quartet when they return to their mother league.

The Bulldogs seek a six-peat when action in the country’s premier collegiate league begins in February.

With its key pieces sharpened by intense competition in the biennial meet and its program arguably the best in the country, NU is naturally the favorite to once again win it all.

“What’s next for us is the UAAP. Hopefully, we’ll bring the momentum of our SEA Games in the UAAP,” Ordiales said.

Ordiales made up the “holy trinity” of Alas wings in the SEA Games alongside grizzled internationalists Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who powered the Bulldogs to the first two of their five consecutive crowns.

He averaged 15.75 points per game in the Nationals’ four matches.

“Of course, playing in the SEA Games gave us good experience again and also gave us a lot of learning,” said Ordiales, whose 20-point heroics helped Alas overcome a 0-2 deficit for a come-from-behind, 23-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 16-14, victory over Vietnam in the bronze medal match last Friday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok.

“We will take those learnings to mature with regard to our game.”

Disquitado, Buddin and Taguiobolos all did their role well for Italian mentor Angiolino Frigoni during Alas’ campaign.

NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who also serves as one of Frigoni’s Alas deputies, believes the SEA Games exposure will hugely benefit his squad when it defends its UAAP title.

“Of course, it’s a big advantage for us and good exposure for the players,” he said.

“There’s pressure but we need to overcome that and just stick with our system and pick up the learnings here in the SEA Games.”

NU had a rocky road last season.

The Bulldogs dropped the first game of the best-of-three finals against Far Eastern University before winning the next two matches.