UST inserts itself into men's postseason battle

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Tournament Standings

Team W-L
FEU             9    1
NU               8    2
Ateneo        6    4
UST             6    4
DLSU           6    4
UP               3    7
AdU             2     8
UE               0    10

Games on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

9 a.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Men)
11 a.m. – DLSU vs UE (Men)
1 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Women)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Women)

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, coupled with the De La Salle University Green Spikers’ five-set heist over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles earlier today, all of UST, La Salle, and Ateneo are now tied for third place with identical 6-4 win-loss records.

The win also propelled UST to its sixth consecutive win against Adamson since the first round of Season 85 in 2023. They have reaffirmed their dominance over the Soaring Falcons after winning in their first-round encounter last 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 the team is responding well to the instructions... They followed the game plan, our execution was good. There were lapses, but it’s still part of the match.")

“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.

(“I think all my emotions were being utilized here. The players aren't always taking things seriously, they don’t realize what’s important at this stage. We just need to emphasize more what adjustments they still need.")

Eager to send the match into a fourth set, the Soaring Falcons raced to an early 11-13 third frame lead, but a combination play from JJ Macam and two consecutive crosscourt hits from two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez fueled the Golden Spikers’ 8-2 surge to build 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.

In similar fashion, the Soaring Falcons remained within striking distance at 16-12 in the second set, but the Golden Spikers uncorked a 7-2 run -- powered by an off-the-block attack and block from Jayrack de la Noche, a quick hit from Poy Colinares, and two straight backrow attacks from Ybañez and Macam -- to take a 2-0 set advantage.

Right out the gate, UST displayed its dominance over Adamson, sending the Soaring Falcons to a commanding 20-8 hole en route to swiftly taking the opening set. Out of 12 Adamson points in the first frame, eight came from UST’s errors.

The Golden Spikers limited their errors to only 24, while also holding the Soaring Falcons to an 18-of-91 attack efficiency in the process.

“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.

(“I’m happy because we won in straight sets. I’m not sure if the game plan was followed, but I’m still happy, and as for the ranking, we’re not really focusing on that for now. We’re more focused on what’s important right now.")

Ybanez top-scored for the Golden Spikers with 13 points on 12 attacks and one block with nine excellent receptions, while Macam added 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and one ace with six excellent receptions.

Dela Noche tallied 11 points on nine attacks, one block, and one ace, while Colinares chipped in seven points on five attacks and two blocks.

Team captain Dux Yambao dished out 23 excellent sets with three points on two attacks and one ace, while starting libero Edriel Alabar contributed eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

The Golden Spikers look to boost their Final Four aspirations against the Blue Eagles come Saturday, April 5, at the same venue.

Meanwhile, the loss sent the Soaring Falcons to their sixth loss in seven outings to drop to a 2-8 record.

Jude Aguilar was limited to a season-low output of four points on a woeful 3-of-24 attack clip. Ricardo Obeda also tallied four points in the losing effort, while Dan Gutierrez, Marc Paulino, and Joel Menor chipped in three points.

Adamson aims to rebound against defending champion National University on Sunday, April 6, also at the Cubao dome.