University of Santo Tomas survived an error-marred outing to outlast Arellano University in five sets, 25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13, in its debut in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge action, Friday afternoon at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Tiger Spikers coughed up a whopping 49 miscues throughout the two-hour-and-a-minute match, which gave the Chiefs some lease for life.
“Expected ko naman na there will be errors, sobrang dami lang talaga. Sabi ko, ilabas na nila lahat. Kasi nga they’ve been out for more than two years. Although naglalaro yung mga players, they play individually and not as a team,” head coach Odjie Mamon commented on the result.
“It’s their first game, at least nage-gauge namin yung kulang at dapat pang i-improve. Marami pa talaga,” he added.
UST, though, pulled through in the deciding set after Arellano get to within one with yet another service error from Rainier Flor. Rey De Vega then closed the match with a kill to give the Tigers the win.
De Vega paced the Tigers with 13 points, 12 coming from attacks, to go with 19 excellent receptions. Alchemy Gupiteo paced the squad with 17 markers on 16 spikes.
UST will take on fellow day winners and UAAP rival National University on Sunday at 1 p.m., still at the Paco Arena.
Wing hitters Christian Dela Paz and Carl Berdal both ended with 16 points for the Chiefs, who went down to 0-2.
Arellano will also take on Adamson University on the following Sunday, October 30 at 1 p.m. at the same venue.
