UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas went through the wringer before beating Adamson University, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10, for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reigning Josh Ybañez had 24 points, including two service aces, 26 receptions and six digs while GBoy de Vega was also solid for the Golden Spikers with 20 points and 20 receptions.
It was a character-building win for UST, which endured a three-match losing streak, including two five-setters defeats to Far Eastern University and Ateneo, in the first round.
“Masaya ako kasi nga nakita ko sa mga teammates ko na gusto nilang manalo, and of course, ako rin. Nanalo kami as a team,” said Ybañez.
Late in the fifth set, UST middle block Rainier Flor landed awkwardly on the feet of substitute setter Joshua Avila.
The Falcons, who led by Francis Casas with 15 points, including two blocks, dropped to 3-4 in sixth place.
The first round ends Sunday at the Big Dome with the Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles colliding at 10 a.m.
University of the East and University of the Philippines, still searching for the elusive first win, duke it out at 12 noon.
