University of Santo Tomas came back from six down in the third set to complete a sweep against University of the East, 28-26, 25-19, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Golden Spikers improved to 2-0 while pushing the Red Warriors down to 0-2.
UE was ahead 20-14 when Popoy Colinares, Gboy De Vega, Josh Ybañez, and Dux Yambao connived to take the lead and the match point for UST, 24-23.
Joshua Pozas answered back for the Red Warriors with a push shot to extend the game but De Vega and Ybañez came through with back-to-back kills for the Golden Spikers win in one hour and 26 minutes.
“Na-test yung character ng mga player ko even though this is not a five-setter kasi 28-26, 26-24. Immaculate pa rin yung record kaya lang marami kaming flaws today,” said head coach Odjie Mamon after UST followed up on last Sunday’s upending of four-peat-seeking National University.
De Vega led the Golden Spikers with an all-around performance of 14 points, including two blocks, 18 receptions, and five digs.
Reigning MVP Ybañez added 12 points and 15 receptions, while Colinares delivered 10 points as well.
UST also got contributions from opposite spikers Sherwin Umandal and Jay Rack Dela Noche with eight and seven points, respectively.
“Kapit lang talaga tapos sabi ko sa kanila, titibayan ko dito sa block tapos kayo bahala sa lalampas,” said Golden Spikers playmaker Dux Yambao who tossed 20 excellent sets to go with five points including two huge blocks in their late run in the third.
Pozas paced the Red Warriors with 11 points to go with seven digs, while John Aligayon also made 10 points and 13 receptions.
UST’s next opponent would be De La Salle University on Sunday, 11 a.m., at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, UE will shoot for its first win earlier that day against 2-0 Far Eastern University.
