University of Santo Tomas felt right at home in its Quadricentennial Pavilion homecourt, thumping University of the East, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22, to secure its third straight win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
After opening the tournament with a loss to the National University Bulldogs, the Golden Spikers responded with three consecutive victories to climb to solo second place at 3-1.
“It’s always nice to play in your home court, maganda yung reception ng crowd na predominantly mga taga-UST. Na-inspire naman ‘yung mga players ko,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Red Warriors steadied their offense after dropping the first set decisively, going point-for-point with the Golden Spikers in the next two frames.
However, UST always had the final answer.
JJ Macam and Trevor Valera took charge in the second set, while Vryvin Catinsag and Joncriz Ayco closed the door in the third as the Golden Spikers wrapped up the match in 74 minutes.
“Sa meeting din namin, sabi ko rin kahapon na mas maganda talaga na lahat kami mag-contribute. At least nagawa namin ‘yung sinabi namin kahapon, na lahat kami magko-contribute,” said playmaker Dux Yambao, who dished out 17 excellent sets and added four points.
It was a balanced offensive effort for UST, with Josh Ybañez leading the way with 13 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Valera added 10 points on 8-of-12 spikes, while fellow middle blocker Catinsag chipped in eight points built on four attacks, two blocks, and two aces. Ayco also scored eight, while Macam contributed seven.
UST dominated the attacking department, 39-27, though both teams committed 30 errors apiece.
The Golden Spikers aim for a fourth straight win next Saturday against Adamson University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Raquim Aceron tallied 12 points and 13 excellent receptions for the Red Warriors, while Mark Lee Budias backed him up with 10 markers.
UE, which snapped a 23-game skid with a five-set win over Adamson last week, slipped to 1-3 and will next face NU on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
