THE UST Junior Tiger Spikers are a win away from the UAAP title after conquering the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, in Game 1 of the volleyball finals at the Arena in San Juan Monday.
With a 2-1 set advantage, UST pulled away for good after unloading a 6-1 run late in the fourth set capped by a Rey de Vega kill, 25-18.
“Hindi [namin na-anticipate] ‘yung sweep kasi malakas na kalaban pa rin sila (FEU). So we have to expect ‘yung mga changes sa mga gagawin nila and we have to prepare for it,” UST assistant coach Rommel Abella said.
Tied at 21-all in the third frame, FEU scored four unanswered points to take their lone set win.
The Junior Tiger Spikers overcame a one-point deficit in the second canto with a 7-1 run to take a 2-0 lead, 25-20.
De Vega’s crosscourt kill sealed a tight first set for the Junior Spikers, 25-23.
De Vega led UST with 18 points while Jaron Requinton and Efraem Dimaculangan chipped in 13 points apiece.
Mark Calado paced FEU with 15 markers.
Game 2 will be on Dec. 4, Monday, 2 p.m., at the same venue.
