University of Santo Tomas cruised past Adamson University, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18, to force a three-way tie for third place in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the Golden Spikers’ sweep of the Soaring Falcons, combined with the De La Salle University Green Spikers’ five-set win over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles earlier in the day, UST, La Salle, and Ateneo are now tied for third place with identical 6-4 win-loss records.
The win also marked UST’s sixth consecutive victory over Adamson, dating back to the first round of Season 85 in 2023. They reinforced their dominance over the Soaring Falcons after securing a victory in their first-round encounter on March 1.
“I think the team is responding well with the instructions… They followed the game plan, maganda yung execution namin. Merong lapses, pero it’s part of the match pa rin ‘eh,” Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon said.
“I think all my emotions were being utilized dito. Hindi pa ganoon ka-seryoso yung mga players minsan ‘eh, they do not realize what’s important at this stage. Kailangan lang namin idiin pa kung ano yung pangangailangan pa nila na adjustments,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Eager to force a fourth set, the Soaring Falcons raced to an early 11-13 lead in the third frame. However, a combination play from JJ Macam and two consecutive crosscourt hits from two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez ignited a Golden Spikers’ 8-2 run, building a 19-15 cushion.
An off-the-block hit from Ybañez, an Adamson rotation fault, a quick attack from Poy Colinares, and a block and crosscourt hit from Macam sealed UST’s sixth win in ten outings in just one hour and 11 minutes.
Similarly, the Soaring Falcons kept it close in the second set, trailing by only 16-12. But the Golden Spikers unleashed a 7-2 run—highlighted by an off-the-block attack and block from Jayrack de la Noche, a quick hit from Colinares, and two backrow attacks from Ybañez and Macam—to take a 2-0 set advantage.
UST dominated from the start, sending Adamson into a deep 20-8 hole before quickly claiming the opening set. Out of the 12 points Adamson scored in the first frame, eight came from UST errors.
The Golden Spikers minimized their errors to just 24 while limiting the Soaring Falcons to a mere 18-of-91 attack efficiency.
“Masaya ako kasi nanalo kami in straight sets. Hindi ko lang sure if nasunod yung game plan, pero masaya pa rin ako and with regards naman sa ranking, hindi muna namin masyado iniisip ‘yon. Mas nagffocus kami sa what’s important now,” Ybañez said.
Ybañez led the Golden Spikers with 13 points on 12 attacks and one block, along with nine excellent receptions. Macam added 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, one ace, and six excellent receptions.
De la Noche contributed 11 points on nine attacks, one block, and one ace, while Colinares chipped in seven points on five attacks and two blocks.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Team captain Dux Yambao set up 23 excellent sets, along with three points from two attacks and one ace. Starting libero Edriel Alabar contributed eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
The Golden Spikers will look to boost their Final Four aspirations when they face the Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 5, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the loss extended Adamson’s slump to six defeats in their last seven matches, dropping them to a 2-8 record.
Jude Aguilar was limited to a season-low four points on a disappointing 3-of-24 attack efficiency. Ricardo Obeda also scored four points in the losing effort, while Dan Gutierrez, Marc Paulino, and Joel Menor added three points each.
Adamson will aim to rebound against defending champion National University on Sunday, April 6, also at the Cubao dome.
