Gboy de Vega stepped up when it mattered most, helping University of Santo Tomas extend its season and deny National University its entry to the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals.
The third-seeded Golden Spikers shocked the defending champions Bulldogs, 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18, on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, forcing a rubber match in their Final Four showdown.
With their backs against the wall, UST leaned on the clutch play of Josh Ybañez and the timely resurgence of De Vega, who tallied 14 points in his first start in 66 days. His last start came during a first-round win over De La Salle University on February 26.
The win not only kept UST’s title hopes alive but also snapped a four-game losing streak to NU, which dated back to the Season 86 Finals.
It was the first time the Golden Spikers defeated the Bulldogs this season. UST previously fell in four sets in both elimination round meetings — dropping their first-round encounter, 25-16, 20-25, 21-25, 27-29, and their second-round match last Sunday, 22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25.
The two teams will face off one last time for a coveted Finals berth on Wednesday at the same Cubao venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Thankful ako kasi binigyan ulit ako ng chance ni coach na makabalik at ma-prove yung mga doubters ko na hindi ako makakatulong sa team. I am very happy lang na nakapag-contribute ako sa maraming ways and I hope na mas mapagtrabahuan ko pa and mas mapag-ensayuhan ko pa para sa next game, mas okay ipakita ko and ng team namin,” De Vega said.
After committing eight errors while allowing five blocks to NU in a third-set defeat, UST made sure to come out swinging in the fourth frame.
An off-the-block hit from Ybañez, a Dux Yambao ace, and a combination play from Season 85 Best Opposite Hitter Jayrack de la Noche allowed the Golden Spikers to send the Bulldogs to an early 14-8 fourth-set deficit.
That proved to be all the breathing room that UST needed. An Ybañez block on Jade Disquitado and a crosscourt hit — along with a De la Noche down-the-line attack — allowed the Golden Spikers to earn their first win over the Bulldogs since completing a Season 86 elimination round sweep last March 24, 2024.
“We live [to fight] another day, pero I don’t want to be desperately playing like that. Parang desperate yung volleyball namin kanina, maganda sana if the players followed the game plan. We could have done better, but I am happy we get to play on Wednesday again,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon commented.
Reigning two-time MVP Ybañez powered the Golden Spikers with a dominant 22-point outing built on 19 attacks to go along with 16 excellent receptions.
De La Noche provided ample support with 15 points on 13 attacks with nine excellent digs. Trevor Valera also served as a bright spot with nine points on four attacks and four blocks with seven excellent receptions.
Yambao orchestrated UST’s offense anew with 20 excellent sets, while starting libero Edriel Alabar finished with 11 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, the Bulldogs now face a do-or-die scenario in order to keep their ‘five-peat’ bid alive — and, in the process, extend their Finals streak to 10 seasons dating back to Season 75.
Team captain Leo Aringo paced NU in the loss with 18 points on 16 attacks with 13 excellent receptions, while Leo Ordiales added 15 points.
Disquitado tallied 14 points and nine excellent receptions, while Peng Taguibolos contributed 10 points on seven blocks and three attacks.
