The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers almost squandered a 2-0 set lead and turned back the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
Jomaru Amagan closed out the game with four booming attacks for a total of 15 points. Manuel Medina led the charge with 17 markers, 15 coming from kills.
Leaning on their serving game, UST waxed hot on the first two sets, leaving UP to scour for points. Errors doomed the Maroons in these two frames as mishits of Niccolo Consuelo gave the España-based spikers both sets.
However, the tide has turned around and it was the Maroons who powered through with their first deliveries.
“Yung Captain ko [Arnold Bautista Jr.] pinagsabihan ko kasi half-hearted na yung effort,” UST Head Coach Odjie Mamon said.
He also rued their first-ball problems. Mamon said, “Yung service receive nag-error kaya naka-block [yung UP].”
Evan Raymundo registered four of his six blocks in the third set. On the other hand, Alfred Valbuena and Mac Millete had a spiking spree in the fourth.
The Tigers almost paid for this lapse as the Maroons carried their momentum in the final set. UP pushed their lead to 12-9 with a Jerry San Pedro off the block hit.
UST, nevertheless, used the rotation advantage to their favor. Amagan made amends on previous errors and pounced on the defensive miscues of the Maroons to end the match with four straight points.
Despite the turn of events, Coach Mamon welcomes the five-set win. “Makakatulong sa kanila yan. Hangga’t di pa nag-aaward yung referee, wala pang panalo so tuloy lang.”
With the win, UST soldifies their semifinals bid as they face defending champions Ateneo on Saturday, August 20, 12pm at the FilOil Flying-V Arena.
The Maroons look to bounce back against San Beda College on Monday, August 22, 10am at the Philsports Arena.
The Scores:
UST 3 – Medina 17, Amagan 15, Bautista 14, Buro 14, Carodan 10, Tajanlangit 2, Francisco 0, Sawal L
UP 2 – Valbuena 20, Millete 16, Raymundo 9, Consuelo 7, San Pascual 6, Acuña 2, San Pedro 2, Nasol 1, Luna L
