University of Santo Tomas trounced De La Salle University in four sets, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, Sunday evening in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With the Green Spikers trying to catch up in the fourth, 20-16, Jay Rack Dela Noche, Rainier Flor, and Emman Dedoroy joined hands to finish the game for the Golden Spikers.
“I just told them every now and then na settle down, kalma, at kung gagalaw kayo may kasama, hindi yung nag-iisa lang,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon on the first three sets.
JM Ronquillo’s down-the-line hit pulled DLSU within one, 22-23, but Josh Ybañez answered back with the same shot. Then the former committed an error to give the third set to the Golden Spikers.
Rookie Ybañez made a mark in his debut with a game-high 24 points built on 21 attacks to go with 10 excellent receptions.
Rey De Vega added 19 points, 26 excellent receptions, and seven digs, while Dela Noche got 15 points.
Ronquillo produced 18 points for DLSU, while Noel Kampton had 11 points.
The Green Spikers benefited from the Golden Spikers’ 36 errors but also committed 22 themselves.
“We have a lot to work on. Marami pang miscues saka sobrang dami na namang errors. Hindi kami UST kung wala kaming errors,” said Mamon.
UST will next face Far Eastern University this Wednesday at 4:00 PM at the Philsports Arena. On the other hand, DLSU battles University of the Philippines earlier at 12:00 NN.
