By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas ended a seven-year title drought by clinching its second UAAP High School Boys’ Volleyball championship with a commanding 25-17, 25-22, 25-20 victory over defending champion National University-Nazareth School in Game 2 of the Season 87 Finals on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.
This triumph marks the Junior Golden Spikers’ first championship since Season 80, when the team was led by the formidable trio of Jaron Requinton, GBoy de Vega, and CJ Segui.
UST capped off the season on a high note with a nine-game winning streak, suffering only one loss—a five-set defeat to the University of the East last October 16, 2024 (23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 11-15).
The Junior Golden Spikers showcased resilience throughout the season and carried their momentum into the finals.
In Game 1 of the best-of-three series, UST also emerged victorious, securing a 18-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19 win.
The decisive final set of Game 2 was tightly contested, but UST managed to pull ahead, creating a crucial 21-17 lead.
The Bullpups made a late push to cut the deficit to one point, but UST’s Paolo Medino took charge, scoring three of the team’s final four points. His sharp attack sealed the match and secured the championship for the Junior Golden Spikers.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Syempre grateful kami sa result na nangyari ngayon. Pasalamat kami kay Lord tapos sa mga staff, sa UST at sa lahat ng mga tumulong samin na kung paano kami nakarating dito. Pine-praise ko kasi ‘yung mga galaw ng mga players ko na talagang gustong gusto kasi manalo nitong araw na ‘to,” said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.
Seventeen-year-old team captain Kalel Legaspi, who transitioned back to his natural position as libero after playing as a setter last season, was named the Finals MVP for his stellar defense, which anchored UST throughout the season.
“Kumbaga po naging isa na lang ‘yung mindset namin. Dami po kasing binibigay sa amin ng UST [kaya] parang nasa isip na lang po namin ngayon is payback time naman po para sa UST,” said the Grade 12 standout from Bataan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Medino led UST’s charge with a game-high 21 points, including 16 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, along with 11 digs.
Supporting him were John Paul Bautista and Sean Cruz, who tallied nine points each, while setter Jeff Abalos orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets.
Interestingly, no player from this UST team received an individual season award, underscoring the depth and balance of the Junior Golden Spikers’ lineup.
UST dominated the first set by breaking away with a 4-1 run late in the frame, powered by attacks from Joncriz Ayco, Medino, and Rain Dela Paz.
The sequence extended their lead to 18-12, and back-to-back attack errors from NUNS players Yuan Mendoza and Xandrex Ragusta handed the set to UST, 25-17.
The second set was a closer affair, with both teams battling point for point. UST surged ahead late, capitalizing on NUNS errors and decisive attacks from Ayco and Medino to take a 21-19 lead.
Dela Paz sealed the set with a clutch kill after a brief NUNS rally, ending it at 25-22.
Despite strong performances from NUNS players Mendoza (12 points), Irilis Kasim (8 points), and Ragusta (6 points), the Bullpups couldn’t match UST’s well-rounded firepower and depth.
