Poy Colinares and JJ Macam powered University of Santo Tomas to a 25-18, 25-19, 25-11 sweep of the University of the Philippines to notch its fourth consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After suffering a season-opening loss to the still-undefeated Far Eastern University Tamaraws, the duo of Colinares and Macam has steered the Golden Spikers to four consecutive wins for solo second place in the eight-team field.
UST remains unbeaten without reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, who is still recovering from an ankle injury on opening day.
The win also allowed UST to assert its mastery over UP, achieving its seventh straight win over the Fighting Maroons dating back to its first-round win last Season 81 in 2019.
“I think the players are enjoying themselves now in playing with each other. Mataas yung confidence level nila ngayon kaya I’m very happy. Kahit sino ilagay ko, kaya nila mag-deliver,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Gaining confidence from two narrow set wins, the Golden Spikers flexed their offensive firepower in the third set. The trio of Colinares, Macam, and Season 85 Best Opposite Spiker Jayrack dela Noche gave UST an early 18-8 cushion that proved too big to overcome.
A quick hit from Trevor Valera, a block by Macam, an off-the-block hit from Al-Bukharie Sali, and a game-winning ace from Valera sealed UST’s fifth consecutive victory and the 67-minute sweep.
Trailing most of the second set, the Golden Spikers woke up in the nick of time by expanding an 18-16 lead to a 23-19 advantage, with back-to-back aces by Colinares sealing UST’s 2-0 set lead.
The Golden Spikers bucked an error-marred opening set as UST broke a 16-all tie to a first-set triumph. Their run was capped by an ace by Colinares, an attack error by Raheem, and an off-the-block hit by Alche Gupiteo.
“Even before Josh’s injury, minimum ten players ang maglalaro sa akin per game kasi ‘yon ang regular rotation namin. It’s one way na mamaximize ko rin yung mga tao ko. Yung dalawang middle blockers ko, wala pa masyadong exposure pero definitely hindi sila made-demoralize or mawawalan ng kumpyansa since may individual roles,” Mamon added.
Macam powered the Golden Spikers with 15 points built on 10 attacks, three aces, and two blocks with six excellent receptions and two excellent digs. Meanwhile, Colinares scored 14 points built on seven attacks, four aces, and three blocks with three excellent receptions.
Dela Noche also tallied 14 points built on 12 attacks and two blocks.
Valera contributed eight points on five attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Gupiteo chipped in five points.
Team captain Dux Yambao tossed 16 excellent sets in the win.
UST will gun for its fifth straight win when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, March 9, at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UP, on the other hand, slid to its fourth consecutive loss to fall to a 1-4 card for seventh place.
No Fighting Maroon reached double-figures as Kobe Aca-ac posted six points and two excellent digs in the losing effort, while Tommy Castrodes scored five points.
Raheem, the second-best scorer in the league prior to the match, was limited to three points on 3-of-15 attack efficiency.
UP looks to break out of its four-game skid in a clash against De La Salle University on Saturday, March 8, also at the MOA Arena.
