University of Santo Tomas clipped University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17, to gain a piece of second place in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Saturday.
Gboy De Vega and Josh Ybañez tallied 13 points apiece for the Golden Spikers with the former adding six excellent receptions while the latter making eight.
Setter Dux Yambao tossed 20 excellent sets, activating his middle blockers Paul Colinares and Rainier Flor with nine and eight points, respectively.
UST head coach Odjie Mamon commended his team’s performance against the Fighting Maroons, who dragged defending champion National University to five sets last Wednesday.
“Maganda yung target ng service namin so we limited UP’s options and then gumana yung pasa ni Gboy saka ni Josh so good job sila ngayon. Stress-free game,” said Mamon.
With UP keeping in step with UST in the third frame, 11-12, the Golden Spikers took their game to another level with a huge closing blast to leave the Fighting Maroons at bay, 25-17.
UST raised its win-loss mark to 4-1 for joint second with Far Eastern University, while UP stayed winless in five outings.
Louis Gamban had a team-high 11 points for the Fighting Maroons while Angelo Lagando had 10.
Next game for UST and UP will be both Ateneo de Manila University. The former will play the Blue Eagles on Wednesday, while the latter will be back on March 19.
