In perhaps their biggest win in league history, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers handed the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles their first loss ever in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, and extended theur best-of-three semifinals series to a deciding third game at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Blue Eagles suffered their first loss in the PVL since it began as the Spikers’ Turf in 2015. This was also UST’s first win against the two-time PVL champs since UAAP Season 77.
Ateneo, however, was without captain Karl Baysa and four-time UAAP MVP Marck Espejo who both opted not to play due to the on-going UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament.
“All the players wanted to win because they knew we had to win,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon. “Hindi na namin inisip kung sino ‘yung nasa kabilang side ng net. Ang importante is ‘yung galaw namin.”
Transferee Josh Umandal led the Tigers with 23 points while captain Arnold Bautista added 16. The Tigers cleaned up their errors, allowing just 32 in four sets, the same tally they had in a straight-set Game One.
Janjan Rivera managed 15 points for the Blue Eagles while middle blocker Gian Glorioso added 13.
Game Three will be on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
UST (3) – Umandal 23, Bautista 16, Medina 13, Tajanalngit 7, Sumagaysay 6, Carodan 3, Corda 1, Buro 0, Casillan 0, Icalina 0, Millado 0, Sawal (L)
ADMU (1) – Rivera 15, Glorioso 13, Labao 11, Medalla 10, Njigha 8, Llenos 1, Polvorosa 1, Sumanguid (L)
