University of Santo Tomas bounced back and moved closer to the last Final Four berth after sweeping also-ran University of the East, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Golden Spikers were coming off a four-set, 23-25, 27-25, 22-25, 15-25 loss to the league-leading Far Eastern University, last Saturday, but UST managed to use its seven-day break to set up a bounce back win over the Red Warriors.
The Golden Spikers hiked their record to 8-5.
An Ateneo (6-6) loss later in the day against De La Salle will push UST to the Final Four, but if the Blue Eagles win, the Golden Spikers must secure their final game against the Green Spikers to formalize their entry to the semifinals and avoid a possible playoff against Ateneo.
“Mindset namin since last part na ‘to ng tournament, all out na kami. Lahat na ng ano namin, lahat na ng pinaghirapan, lahat na ng challenges, ito na yung dulo so gagawin na namin yung the best,” said Golden Spikers assistant coach Benjamin Mape.
Josh Ybañez converted 17 of his 29 attack attempts to finish with a game-high 18 points to go along with 11 excellent receptions in the crucial victory for the Golden Spikers, who swept their season matchup against UE following a 28-26, 25-19, 26-24 win in the first round.
Edlyn Colinares added 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks while Sherwin Umandal had 11 markers on eight attacks and three kill blocks as well. Rainier Flor and Gboy De Vega combined for 10 markers in the 80-minute contest.
“Lahat ng execution, lahat ng plays, lahat ng analyzations sa opponents gagawin namin para makapasok kami sa Finals. ‘Yun yung mindset ng coaches at ng buong team at mga players,” added Mape.
UST takes on La Salle in hopes of sealing its spot in the Final Four on Saturday, 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.
On the other hand, the hapless UE suffered their sixth consecutive loss to fall to 1-12 in the standings, tied with University of the Philippines at the bottom spot.
No player from the Red Warriors finished in double digits with John Aligayon and Angelo Reyes scoring eight points each in the loss. Joshua Pozas and Axel Defeo chipped in seven markers apiece.
UE will try to end its campaign on a high note against also-ran UP also on Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
