University of Santo Tomas bolstered its UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four bid with a crucial straight-sets victory over Ateneo de Manila University, 26-24, 25-17, 25-22, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Golden Spikers extended their winning streak to three matches after previously suffering three consecutive losses.
They improved to 7-4, taking solo third place and holding a half-game lead over the De La Salle Green Spikers, who were playing the UE Red Warriors at press time.
UST also avenged its first-round loss to Ateneo, where it fell in four sets, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25. The España-based squad is now just one-and-a-half games behind second-ranked National University, which holds an 8-2 record.
“Thankful ako sa mga players, nag-respond sila, na-execute ‘yung plano. May lapses pero understandable. Yung last part nga ng first set may slip-ups pero kalma lang and nakapag-execute kami,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon, after the Golden Spikers nearly squandered a 24-22 lead in the opening frame.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Jay Rack Dela Noche made up for a service line violation with a clever drop shot that pushed UST to match point at 24-20. Ateneo tried to mount a last-minute rally, with a Dela Noche attack error and a sharp kill from Kennedy Batas off an overreceived ball trimming the gap to 22-24.
But Josh Ybañez sealed the deal with a back-row kill that deflected off Brian Castro’s block attempt, wrapping up the match in one hour and 26 minutes.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip na once na nasa loob ako ng court, I have to do something, na makapag-contribute ako ng marami sa team in all aspects, not just sa attacking pero sa dig, receive, and maraming department ng volleyball especially sa block kasi doon ako mahina,” said Ybañez.
The reigning two-time MVP delivered 24 points on an efficient 20-of-33 spiking clip, along with three aces and a block. Popoy Colinares added 13 markers, highlighted by six blocks and seven attacks.
Setter Dux Yambao orchestrated UST’s offense with 21 excellent sets, spreading the wealth as Dela Noche scored nine points, JJ Macam chipped in eight, and Trevor Valera added six.
UST dominated the net with a 13-2 advantage in blocks and will aim to stretch its winning run when it faces the University of the East next Saturday at the Big Dome.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo absorbed its second straight defeat and dropped to fifth at 6-5. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for the Blue Eagles, who are set to face league-leading FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Kennedy Batas paced the Blue Eagles with 20 points off 19-of-38 spikes, while Amil Pacinio contributed nine points.
Jian Salarzon, however, found himself limited to just four points in two sets, though he still managed 15 excellent receptions.
