The University of Santo Tomas Tigers kept themselves afloat in the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Tournament, sweeping the De La Salle University Green Spikers 25-23, 25-21, 25-19 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With team captain Paul Castillo out of the lineup to attend his thesis defense, the Tigers still showed more composure than their veteran counterparts. La Salle had leads in the first and second set but were unable to sustain their momentum when UST sued for a comeback. The Tigers even managed to erase a 6-0 La Salle lead to take the second frame.
By the third set, La Salle was sapped of its spirit and let the Tigers waltz to the win. La Salle’s reception woes were apparent in their attacking numbers. Unable to consistently get good sets off, the Green Spikers had just 33 attack conversions to UST’s 48.
Manuel Medina towed the Tigers with 14 points while his fellow open hitter Arnold Bautista pitched in 11 markers.
“I was happy with how we played. Mas magaan ‘yung nilaro nila. Kahit wala ‘yung team captain nila, maganda pa rin ‘yung ginalaw nila. Hopefully we can sustain this heading into the second round,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
DLSU team captain was the only Green Spiker in double-digits with 18 points. La Salle’s second leading scorer for the season, Arjay Onia had just nine markers.
UST head into the second round at sixth place with a 2-5 slate while DLSU slumps to seventh at 1-6.
The Scores
UST (3) – Medina 14, Bautista 11, Sarabia 9, Balse 8, Carodan 8, Amagan 4, Tajanlangit 3, Francisco 0, Guzman 0, Pangan (L)
DLSU (0) – Woo 18, Onia 9, Dumago 5, Jose 5, Calasin 2, Dimayuga 2, Asia G. 1, Delos Reyes 1, Marco 0, Movido (L), Asia D. (L)
