Their roller coaster run through the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Tournament reached its crescendo as the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers kept their Final Four hopes alive, overpowering the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
UST forced a tie for the last Final Four spot, ending the elimination round with an identical 6-8 record with Adamson.
The two will duel again on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
After going through a five-game skid midway through the season, UST head coach Odjie Mamon urged his wards to take advantage of their last chance to salvage this season.
“Ang dami naming chances before na talagang nasayang namin. Most of the time, ang tumalo sa amin was our own errors,” Mamon lamented.
“Siguro naisip namin na kahit ganoon na ‘yung nangyare, may chance pa rin kami until today. We took advantage na siguro. Hopefully, we can take advantage again on Wednesday,” he furthered.
UST’s desire showed in their massive blocking numbers, amassing 13 to Adamson’s six.
Middle blocker Jayvee Sumagaysay anchored the Tiger Spikers with a career-high 20 points, eight coming from blocks.
Pao Pablico led the Falcons with 17 points.
The Scores
UST (3) – Sumagaysay 20, Carodan 14, Bautista 11, Medina 11, Tajanlangit 3, Arbasto 1, Icalina 1, Casillan 0, Sawal (L)
AdU (1) – Pablico 17, Yude 10, Bello 6, Labang 6, Amburgo 4, Alvarez 3, Miranda 3, Jimenez 0, Melgar (L)
