Rookie Tommy Castrodes showed nerves of steel against his high school alma mater, leading University of the Philippines to a reverse sweep over Adamson University, 21-25, 19-25, 25-11, 25-12, 15-12, to close their UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament campaign on a high note, Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the come-from-behind victory, the Fighting Maroons wrapped up the season with a 4-10 record — a two-win improvement from their 2-12 finish in Season 86.
“Ever since nalaman namin na the season is done for us, ang ginawa naming mindset ay itong season ang magiging base namin going into the next season. Marami kaming tinry, marami kaming sinubukan, but there are all trials kasi there’s nothing to lose but more to gain kung gagawin namin,” said first-year UP head coach Carlo Cabatingan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons also completed a season sweep of the Soaring Falcons, having defeated them in four sets during their first-round encounter last March 16.
After dominating the third and fourth frames, UP’s resilience was put to the test in the deciding fifth set. A service error by Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem and a quick hit from Leo Coguimbal gave Adamson an early 8-6 edge.
However, the Fighting Maroons found timely relief through Castrodes, who delivered back-to-back hits during a crucial 6-1 run that gave UP a 12-9 cushion.
Adamson stayed within striking distance after a Castrodes antenna touch and an overreaching violation by UP trimmed the gap to 13-11. But Raheem finished what Castrodes started, hammering two consecutive attacks to seal UP’s fourth and final win of the season.
“Yung minindset ko lang doon ay every point dapat I should make it count. Dapat i-seize ko lang yung moment,” said Castrodes, who capped his rookie campaign with 16 points on 15 attacks, 13 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs.
Raheem added 19 points on 13 attacks and seven excellent digs, while Angelo Lipata contributed 11 points along with 13 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
Angelo Lagando, Dan Nicolas, and Milven Francisco chipped in eight points each.
Looking ahead, UP’s core remains largely intact, with only Nicolas graduating after three seasons of service from Season 85 to 87.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the loss marked Adamson’s sixth consecutive defeat, ending their Season 87 campaign with a 2-12 record — matching their worst UAAP Men’s Volleyball finish since Season 85.
Aguilar led the Soaring Falcons with 15 points and six excellent digs, while Dan Gutierrez scored 13 points and tallied 17 excellent receptions.
Marc Paulino also registered 13 points, while Coguimbal contributed 11 points in Adamson’s season finale.
