Popoy Colinares powered University of Santo Tomas past De La Salle University, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16, to secure its second consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Still missing the services of two-time MVP Josh Ybañez due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain, Colinares received ample support from JJ Macam and Jayrack Dela Noche.
UST improved to a 2-1 record, joining National University and Ateneo de Manila University in second place.
Colinares tallied 17 points on 11-of-15 attacks, five blocks, one ace along with one dig to power UST’s first victory against La Salle in UAAP men’s volleyball play since a four-set triumph in the second round of Season 85 last April 2, 2023.
“The result speaks for itself when it comes to our depth. Bukod doon, yung preparation din namin, so kahapon, maganda yung mood nila. Hanggang ngayon, nai-extend nila yung good vibes sa court at magaan sila maglaro,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the third set, back-to-back off-the-block attacks from Dela Noche and Season 86 beach volleyball MVP Alche Gupiteo gave the Golden Spikers an early 16-11 lead.
UST then widened the gap with attacks from Vince Sali, a block from Colinares, a crosscourt hit from Dela Noche, and an ace from Macam, pushing their lead to 23-15 to all but secure the one hour and 11-minute sweep.
In the second set, Colinares and Macam turned an early 8-10 deficit into a commanding 17-12 advantage, capped by an off-the-block hit from Gupiteo and a quick attack from Colinares to put UST up two sets to none.
Dela Noche, who tallied nine points in the first set, delivered three consecutive crosscourt hits to seal the opener for the Golden Spikers.
“Masaya yung buong team namin kasi kahit nawala si Josh sa lineup namin, intact pa rin kami as a team. Kumbaga, kahit sino mawala sa lineup namin, kahit sino ilagay mo diyan, sure na sure kami na magpe-perform sila kasi ganoon ka-confident yung bawat player ngayon,” Colinares said.
UST unleashed a balanced attack against La Salle, leading in four of six statistical categories with attacks (40-28), blocks (11-2), aces (8-0), and sets (22-16) in the triumph.
Dela Noche tallied 12 points built on 11 attacks and one ace with two excellent digs, while Macam scored 10 points on five attacks, four aces, and one block with 13 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Gupiteo chipped in seven points on six attacks and one block with five excellent receptions and two excellent digs.
Team captain Dux Yambao tossed 19 excellent sets with two points on one ace and one block.
Up next, UST will face Adamson University on Saturday, March 1, at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Green Spikers dropped to 1-2, tying the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for sixth place.
Noel Kampton, who previously scored 24 points in La Salle’s win against Adamson, was limited to six points on 6-of-23 attack efficiency with five excellent receptions and one excellent dig in the losing effort.
The trio of MJ Fortuna, Emman Fernandez, and Eric Layug also scored six points each in the losing effort. In his season debut, Vince Maglinao tallied two points after missing the first two games due to an ankle sprain.
Eco Adajar dished out 14 excellent sets and one excellent dig with one block, while team captain Menard Guerrero contributed 10 excellent receptions and four excellent digs.
La Salle aims to bounce back against UP on Sunday, March 2.
