Not wanting to be left behind, the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers claimed their first straight-set win of UAAP Season 81, handling the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UST – who were coming off a five-set loss to league-leading Far Eastern University – relied heavily on open hitter Joshua Umandal for their offense. The second-year Tiger Spiker was the only player in double-digits, landing 18 points from 13 attacks, two blocks and three aces.
The Tiger Spikers almost hit a wall when rookie Jaron Requinton sprained his right ankle midway through the first set. According to head coach Odjie Mamon, Requinton will still likely be available for their Saturday match against defending champions National University (3-1).
But Mamon was still concerned with his team’s effort in closing sets. UST surrendered most of their 27 errors in the crucial stages.
“Pinaghandaan naman namin. Although wala pa rin pang close-out. ‘Yung killer instinct, nilalaro pa rin namin,” said Mamon whose squad now has a 3-2 card.
“Sinasabi ko lang na ‘yung focus nila, tsaka confidence nagwa-waver lang kasi gusto pa nila humaba ‘yung laro,” the former UST volleyball athlete added.
Rookie Billie Anima topped the Green Spikers with nine points, while middle blocker Kieffer Reyes managed seven. La Salle’s leading scorer Cris Dumago was limited to five markers.
La Salle (1-4) will try to recover against the equally-struggling University of the East (1-4) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
UST (3) – Umandal 18, Medina 9, Sumagaysay 6, Buro 5, Corda 5, Tajanlangit T. 4, Requinton 3, Tajanlagit J. 1, Casillan 0, Del Rosario 0, Mendiolla (L), Sawal (L)
DLSU (0) – Anima 9, Reyes 7, Bacon 6, Dumago 5, Delos Reyes 3, De Jesus 0, Inocentes 0, Serrano 0, Macaspac (L)
