Despite coughing up an uncharacteristic 36 errors, second-seed University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers subdued the challenge of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 32-30, to take Game One of their semifinals tussle, Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Middle blocker Jayvee Sumagaysay paced the Tiger Spikers with 19 markers, anchoring on six blocks to go with 12 attacks and an ace. Joshua Umandal was not far behind with 18 points and captain Manuel Medina finished with 17 points.
The Tigers rose to a 2-0 advantage as their attackers up their percentage, while stopping Adamson on their tracks at the net.
Nonetheless, when the Falcons got their groove in the third set, it was smooth sailing for the Taft-based side. Skipper Paolo Pablico carried the squad, pouring most of his team-high 16 points in this frame. Opposite hitter George Labang also ended with 16 markers.
In that final set, Adamson almost forged a decider as UST got loss in their passing. The latter, nonetheless, got momentum and it was see-saw from there before setter Timmy Tajanlangit denied Leo Miranda one last time to finally secure the win.
“Nawala kami sa focus nung third set, nag-relax ‘yung middle, setter, ewan ko tuliro. One thing going good for me ‘yung libero ko nag-off ‘yung isa macocover niya tapos siyempre ‘yung service namin kahit marami kaming service error, it doesn’t matter basta malakas,” he said.
“May key players kami na hindi dapat mag-service errors kasi sobrang lakas ng harap namin. Eh, dalawang beses nangyari yun, so tapos agad yung rotation,” rued Mamon.
The Tigers will attempt to grab that Finals berth in Game Two scheduled tomorrow, Sunday at 9:00am.
The Scores:
UST 3 – Sumagaysay 19, Umandal 18, Medina 17, Redido 12, Carodan 9, Tajanlangit 4, Corda 1, Casillan 0, Mendiolla L, Sawal L.
AdU 1 – Pablico 16, Labang 16, Miranda 10, Alvarez 7, Alicando 7, Jimenez 2, Bello 1, Amburgo 0, Valdez 0, Nuguid 0, Pinar L.
