The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers looked ready to fall apart, but managed to arrest their skid just in time to vanquish the feisty Adamson University Soaring Falcons in five sets, 30-28, 23-25, 25-23, 10-25, 15-12, to break above .500 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Barely edging out the Falcons in a heated third set, the Tigers fell apart in the fourth frame, surrendering errors and miscues on receive that allowed a 19-6 Adamson lead.
Heading into the fifth set, UST head coach Odjie Mamon looked to get his team back in focus.
“Parang nawala ‘yung isip nila sa laro; parang nag-relax. ‘Yun ang nagiging problema namin this season kaya maraming kaming matches na humahaba at natatalo pa kami,” Mamon rued.
The fifth set had both squads slugging it out until UST broke away, 11-8, after key blocks. The Tiger Spikers then held their ground and protected the win.
“We really have to reduce our errors. Lagi kaming mas marami sa kalaban namin manalo o matalo. It’s an issue we’ve been trying to address,” Mamon said as his team surrendered 41 errors to Adamson’s 32.
Manuel Medina led the Tigers with 17 points, while skipper Arnold Bautista managed 14 markers.
UST improve their record to 3-2 good for fourth in the standings. They face the National University Bulldogs (4-1) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Senior open hitter Jerome Sarmiento towed the Falcons with 19 points, while Junior middle blocker Pao Pablico added 13.
Adamson falls to seventh in the standings with a 1-5 slate. They take on the University of the East Warriors (0-5) next Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores
UST (3) – Medina 17, Bautista 14, Buro 12, Sumagaysay 11, Tajanlangit 6, Jose 4, Millado 4, Valenzuela 2, Carodan 1, Samonte 0, Tajanlangit J. (L)
AdU (2) – Sarmiento 19, Pablico 13, Yude 10, Ramirez 9, Sudaria 9, Pletado 7, Labang 4, Melgar 0, Miranda 0, Mediolla (L)
