AN ERROR-plagued UST Tiger Spikers surrendered a tight five-setter to the University of the Philippines, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 8-15, in the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Sunday.
Despite a 2-1 set lead, UST crumbled down the stretch, committed 19 of its 32 total errors in the fourth and fifth sets.
The Fighting Maroons had a slim 8-6 lead in the fifth set before going on a 7-2 run, capped by Mark Millete’s down-the-line hit, to complete their comeback win.
“Hindi nakabalik sa rhythm. Kasi pagdating sa laro 99 percent sa isip ‘yan, pero nawala sila sa laro noong fifth set,” Tiger Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon said.
After an early seven-point lead in the fourth set, 9-2, UP scored an 8-3 spurt to push its lead to double digits and tied the game at two sets apiece.
Alfred Valbuena led the Fighting Maroons with 22 points while team captain Wendel Miguel added 21.
The Tiger Spikers made use of UP’s 10 errors in the third set and a 13-5 blitz to gain a 2-1 set advantage.
Manuel Medina paced the Tiger Spikers with 16 markers.
UST, ranked sixth place with a 2-2 card, will face the Adamson University on Feb. 25, Saturday, 8 a.m., at the same venue.
