The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers clawed past their feline counterparts San Beda College Red Spikers in five sets 25-14, 24-26, 23-25, 25-22, 15-13 in Group B of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Sophomore open hitter Jomaru Amagan tallied 25 points on 22 hits, two aces, and a block. Amagan’s fellow open hitter Manuel Medina added 20 markers.
“This is good for us kasi character-building din ito,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said. “‘Yung anim na ginagamit ko kanina, sila kasi ang magiging core ko talaga.”
The Tigers opened the match splendidly, racing to a 20-9 lead in the first set. But errors and miscues in the crucial moments of the next two sets placed them behind a set. Tied at 20 in the fourth set, UST pulled offense from Jomaru Amagan bolstered by Mel Samonte’s serving to force a fifth frame.
Letting a 9-7 slip in the fifth set, the Tigers bounced back from a 10-11 deficit to take the match by the slimmest of margins.
“It was the same errors from us. Nawala sa focus ‘yung setter at libero naman. Nawalan kami ng plays lalo na noong nawalan kami ng first ball,” Mamon reflected.
San Beda guest player and former National U Bulldog Berlin Paglinawan led the Red Spikers with 17 points while fellow guest player Peter Torres and team captain Alfie Mascariñas each contributed 10 points.
The Tigers (2-0) look to keep their streak going against UAAP rivals University of the Philippines Maroons (2-0) on August 17, 10 am. The Red Spikers (0-2) face NCAA rivals Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (0-2) on August 15 10 am. Both matches will be at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
UST (3) – Amagan 25, Medina 20, Bautista 11, Carodan 11, Buro 10, Tajanlangit T. 1, Francisco 0, Samonte 0, Umandal 0, Tajanlangit J. (L), Sawal (L)
SBC (2) – Paglinawan 17, Mascariñas 10, Torres 10, Gonzales 9, Zabala 8, Desuyo 4, Viray 3, Santos 2, Gonzales 0, Manliclic 0, Casin (L)
