UNIVERSITY of the East bucked the absence of Lloyd Josafat to outlast also-ran Adamson University in a marathon, 25-16, 24-26, 25-27, 30-28, 15-8, and pump life to its Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Saturday.
The Red Warriors improved to 4-7, just 1 1/2 games behind fourth and fifth-running De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, both at 5-5.
Joshua Pozas was the main reason that allowed UE to pull away in the fifth early, 8-3, dropping five of his 14 points there, while Giles Torres and Kenneth Culabat also produced down the stretch,
Red Warriors assistant coach Ronwald Dimaculangan said, “Totoo na buhay pa but we’re taking it one game at a time, pressure is there so what we always remind our players is just to embrace the pressure,” as head coach Jerome Guhit and Josafat are with the national team in Japan for a training camp.
The Soaring Falcons were down 24-21 in the second set but Pau Paulino and Grant Alegre connived to send the frame to a deuce before Torres’ attack went out then Leo Coguimbal’s dump off an over-received ball by Culabat completed Adamson’s fightback to equalize, 26-24.
It was the same situation, the same result in the third set as the Soaring Falcons climbed back from 24-21 down as Paulino’s two straight off-the-block kills gave them the 2-1 advantage, 27-25.
But Culabat held the fort for the Red Warriors in the fourth set before Torres finished it with back-to-back points to force a decider in yet another extended set, 30-28.
Culabat had a game-high 24 points on 21 attacks, two service aces, and a block to go with 15 excellent receptions.
JP Mangahis was everywhere with 14 points, 25 receptions, and 18 digs, while Torres and JM Andaya made 12 points apiece.
Francis Casas led Adamson with 20 points and 13 receptions while Paulino had 18 points and 15 receptions.
The Soaring Falcons fell to rock bottom at 1-10.
Adamson will be back on Wednesday against the Green Spikers while UE goes for three in a row next Saturday against unbeaten National University.
Watch the UAAP Season 85 Collegiate Volleyball Tournament on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days).
You can also catch the games live on the SMART Livestream App. Download it here.
