MANILA, Philippines — Never doubt the heart of a champion as National University kept its five-peat dream alive, staving off Far Eastern University, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball finals Game 2 on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The five-peat-seeking Bulldogs blew another 2-1 advantage but this time they hung tight to force a rubber match on Saturday at the same venue in Pasay City.

READ: UAAP title reign in peril, NU still upbeat ahead of must-win game

Jade Disquitado nailed the game-winning block on Dryx Saavedra as NU ended the match with a 5-1 run to spoil FEU’s title plans.

FEU, led by Saavedra and Amet Bituin, unleashed an 8-5 start in the fifth but committed four errors in NU’s 5-0 run as the latter take a 10-8 lead.

Buds Buddin and Peng Taguibolos gave NU a 13-10 cushion and never looked back.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball Finals

After winning the opening set, NU squandered a 14-9 start in the second frame as FEU tied it at 22-all before scoring three straight points off Amet Bituin’s drop, Ordiales’ attack error, and Dryx Saavedra’s cross court kill to level the match at one set apiece.

The defending champions were quick to get their acts together with Ordiales and Buddin conspiring for a 10-point beatdown of the Tamaraws to regain the lead, 2-1.