University of the East scored its breakthrough win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament in its seventh game, denying University of the Philippines in five sets, 25-21, 19-25, 28-30, 27-25, 15-12, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The Red Warriors ended the first round of action in the win column at 1-6 for solo seventh.
UE went to the trio of Axel Defeo, Joshua Pozas, and Angelo Reyes in the fifth set to complete the victory in two hours and 43 minutes.
The Fighting Maroons tried to pull off a comeback late, inching within two after falling 10-14 but Nino Bersano’s service went straight to the net in the final play.
“Masaya finally na the players were able to realize na kaya naman pala. We’ll use this win in preparation for the second round para we have the momentum na may positive na nangyari before the first round ended,” said Red Warriors assistant coach Jumbo Dimaculangan.
Pozas was caught with a double contact violation, putting the fourth set at 25-all before UP shot itself on the foot with back-to-back errors to extend the match.
Defeo and Steve Aligayon dropped 21 points apiece on identical line of 16 attacks and five blocks to lead the Red Warriors.
Pozas and Reyes added 15 points each as well as Andre Bicar tossed 29 excellent sets while King Herbosa had 19 receptions and seven digs.
The Fighting Maroons stayed winless at 0-7, seeing their skid dating back to the second round of Season 85 stretched to 11 outings.
Angelo Lagando’s 26 points for UP was wasted as well as the triple-double (19 points, 15 receptions, and 10 digs) of Louis Gamban.
