The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers continued their impressive start in the 2017 Men’s Collegiate Conference, sending the De La Salle University Green Spikers crashing back down after a three-set romping, 25-17, 25-13, 25-22, Monday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
But even with the strong start, UST head coach Odjie Mamon downplayed their record, saying that it’s still too early in the conference.
“2-0, mahaba pa naman e. We’re still taking it one game at a time,” he said.
And once again, University of the East Junior Warriors standout Joshua Umandal led UST with 14 points, all on attacks.
“Ang ganda nung adjustment ni Joshua sa leftside,” lauded Mamon of Umandal, who scored 13 points in UST’s sweep of the University of the Philippines last Saturday. “Definitely, isa siya dun sa main attackers namin.”
Arnold Bautista and Jayvee Sumagasay added nine markers each, while Manuel Medina chipped in eight points.
The Tiger Spikers were dominant all throughout the match, tallying 10 blocks in the contest. Moreover, La Salle’s errors compounded their problems, as they gave up 24 points.
Cris Dumago paced the Green Spikers with 14 points.
But Mamon admitted that their true test will be on Saturday, September 9, when they take on the defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
“Mabigat yung next game namin which is Ateneo so at least we have two days to prepare. Basta ma-execute namin yung plano namin, masaya na ko. Mahirap lang kasi dito lalo na kung maganda yung plano sa practice tapos hindi ma-execute,” Mamon shared.
La Salle, on the other hand, face the Far Eastern UniversityTamaraws on the same day at 10:00am.
The Scores:
UST (3) – Umandal 14, Bautista 9, Sumagaysay 9, Medina 8, Tajanlangit 4, Buro 3, Carodan 3, Icalina 1, Millado 0, Casillan 0, Corda 0, Sawal (L).
DLSU (0) – Dumago 14, Onia 7, Woo 6, Jose 3, Bacon 3, Delos Reyes 2, Reyes 1, Marco 0, Dimayuga 0, Asia 0, Movido (L), Macaspac (L).