University of Santo Tomas made quick work of Adamson University, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22, to secure its fourth consecutive win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Josh Ybañez shone once again with 15 points on 12 attacks and two aces, alongside 13 excellent receptions, while JJ Macam provided strong support with 12 points on nine attacks and three aces, complemented by 11 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Thanks to their collective effort, the Golden Spikers have now strung together four straight victories since falling to defending champions National University Bulldogs in their Season 88 opener on February 15.
The win also allowed UST to share second place with an idle NU, as both teams hold identical 4-1 win-loss records with two games remaining in the first round.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“We have tougher matches ahead. At least, 4-1 kami ngayon. Performance-wise, maraming pagkukulang today,” Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon said.
“I listed three things before the match, parang isa lang yung na-checkan doon. Targeting ng serve namin, wala—yung system defense namin, daming lapses today. Hopefully, yung next matches namin, ma-fulfill namin yung mga objectives namin,” he added.
With the third set tied at 8-all, UST broke away with an 8-3 run—capped by consecutive attacks from Ybañez and Vryvin Catinsag—to put Adamson in a five-point hole, 16-11.
The Golden Spikers maintained control as a Macam service ace, a Joncriz Ayco down-the-line hit, and a backrow attack from the returning Gboy de Vega sent UST to match point at 24-20. The Soaring Falcons remained within striking distance by salvaging two match points through two Joel Menor points, built on an off-the-block hit and a block on Catinsag.
However, in an anti-climactic finish to the one-hour, 17-minute contest, Maruel Tan’s serve went wide, allowing the Golden Spikers to extend their winning streak to four games.
Trevor Valera finished with nine points on 8-of-11 attack efficiency and one block, while Ayco, making his first start, continued his solid play in his rookie season with UST, tallying seven points and two excellent digs.
Catinsag also contributed seven points on six attacks, while team captain Dux Yambao delivered 21 excellent sets.
UST will next face the University of the Philippines this Wednesday, March 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
On the other hand, Adamson dropped its fourth consecutive match since opening the tournament with a five-set win over Ateneo de Manila University on February 15.
No Soaring Falcon reached double figures, as Richard Besorio led the team with seven points on six attacks, along with nine excellent receptions and three excellent digs, while Andrew Tahiluddin added four points and five excellent receptions.
Adamson will look to end its slump when it clashes with De La Salle University on the same date and at the same venue.
