After sitting out one full year, University of the East Junior Warrior standout Joshua Umandal made sure that University of Santo Tomas came out on top, leading the Tiger Spikers to a straight-set win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15, Saturday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The multi-time UAAP Juniors champion led UST with 13 markers on 11 attacks and two aces.
“Bago yung tao so hinahayaan ko lang muna sila mag-jell muna. With the addition of [Lester] Sawal and [Joshua] Umandal, medyo mas squeeze yung play namin ngayon,” remarked UST head coach Odjie Mamon about his former guest players last collegiate conference. “Kaso, nanggigil pa si Josh kaya maraming error pero laking tulong nila sa team.”
Sawal, the reigning Best Libero of the PVL, proved to be a menace for UP as well, producing 17 excellent digs to anchor the Tiger Spikers’ floor defense.
“First ball namin is basically sound, mataas ang pursiyento,” added Mamon.
And after breezing past the first two sets, the energy of UST did not die down in the match-clincher. UP gained an early 2-0 lead, but it was all UST afterwards, leading by as much as 24-13. A Wendel Miguel kill and an error by Isaiah Icalina prolonged the game, but a Umandal kill from the right side sealed the win for UST.
“Masaya ako ngayon na nag-eeffort na sila lalo na yung mga middle namin,” Mamon added.
Arnold Bautista chipped in eight markers, while Timothy Tajanlangit glued things together for UST with 22 excellent sets and adding three points.
No Fighting Maroon scored in double-figures, as Miguel and Nicolo Consuelo paced UP with eight markers each. UP struggled to convert on their attacks while giving up 28 points to errors.
The Tiger Spikers will face another UAAP rival on Monday, September 4, when they face the De La Salle University Green Spikers at 10:00am. The Fighting Maroons, on the other hand, take on the Saint Benilde Blazers earlier in the day at 8:00am.
The Scores:
UST (3) – Umandal 13, Bautista 8, Sumagaysay 6, Carodan 5, Medina 5, Icalina 4, Tajanlangit 3, Buro 2, Casillan 1, Sawal (L).
UP (0) – Consuelo 8, Miguel 8, San Pedro 6, Gohoc 4, Acuna 3, Ijiran 1, Madrigalejos (L).
