The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers fended off a gritty De La Salle University Green Spikers squad in five sets, 25-19, 23-25, 17-25, 25-19, 15-10, to stay undefeated, Sunday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The España-based ensemble rose from a 1-2 deficit to stay on top of the standings.
Leaning on their transition game, they eventually stopped La Salle in the decider, as Josh Umandal sealed the match with a booming attack to cap a dominant fifth set.
UST head coach Odjie Mamon said that it was their mental lapses that cost them the second and third frames.
“Nag-deviate sila sa game plan, especially yung setter namin. Pero yung fourth at fifth, sabi ko control ko na,” the UST lifer shared.
Team captain Wewe Medina paced the Tiger Spikers with 20 points off 18 attacks, while second-year player Umandal had 19.
On the other side, Geraint Bacon led the Green Spikers with 15 markers.
UST (3-0) will try to defend their unblemished record as they face the CSB Blazers (1-1) on August 5 at 11 a.m. La Salle (0-3) take on the FEU Tamaraws (0-2) the day before at 6 p.m.
The Scores:
UST 3 – Medina 20, Umandal 19, Redido 11, Carodan 11, Tajanlangit T 4, Corda 3, Buro 3, Sumagaysay 3, Casillan 0, Tajanlangit J 0, Mendiolla L, Sawal L.
DLSU 2 – Bacon 15, Dumago 14, Reyes 13, Inocentes 11, Marco 6, Delos Reyes 5, Aquino 0, Maravilla 0, De Jesus 0, Serrano 0, Macaspac L, Sumalinog L.
