TWO STRAIGHT-SET matches sealed the fate of the UST Senior Volleyball Teams in UAAP Season 68. One secured a Finals seat, while the other bowed out from the competition.
The top-seeded Tiger Spikers made quick work of the low-flying Adamson University Falcons, 25-17, 25-16, 28-26, last Sept. 24 at University of the Philippines Human Kinetics Gym to earn an outright ticket to the Men’s Volleyball Finals slated on Oct. 1.
The straight-set triumph gave coach Emil Lontoc’s wards the momentum to beat finalist and defending champion Far Eastern University—their victims in the playoffs for the No. 1 spot last Sept. 22.
Veteran Jake Lagar played an inspired game, registering a game-high 17 points. Center spiker Glenn Boongaling chipped in 11 markers, including three blocks, while Reny John Balse added nine attack points.
Adamson gave UST a scare in the third set as Falcon Judy Rodriguez scored a crucial kill, following an outside spike by Tigers team captain Christian Fernandez.
After Lagar’s cross-court kill and the Falcons’ consecutive errors, UST inched closer, 20-22. Adamson’s skipper Limuel Gatchalian sent the ball down the line before Balse fumbled on a spike to give the Falcons set point.
Leaning on its frontliners, UST scored four consecutive points to spoil Adamson’s bid to extend the match. The Falcons fought for survival in the homestretch, but Lagar and comebacking spiker Jerome Guhit, who ably replaced injured starter Carlo Lubi, drilled in the much-needed points for UST.
“My boys have played consistently throughout the eliminations,” said Lontoc of his wards, who lost only twice in Season 68. “With more training and polishing, I’m sure kaya na namin ang FEU sa Finals.”
Maybe next year
In the other straight-setter, the Lady Spikers surrendered to the powerhouse De La Salle University squad, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, also last Sept. 24 at the UPHK Gym. The Season 67 bridesmaids closed their Season 68 campaign at fourth, with a 9-5 win-loss record.
The rookie-laden Lady Spikers relied heavily on Mary Jean Balse, who scored 14 points, while Venus Bernal added 11. UST’s rookie spikers, obviously groping for form, combined for just 10 markers in the match that lasted a little over an hour.
The defending champion feasted on the lowly UST spikers, who showed a semblance of a fight only in the third juncture. UST tailed La Salle closely, not allowing their opponent to lead by more than two points.
Balse, who scored most of her points in the third set, drilled in a quick spike in the final stretch, bringing UST closer, 21-23. Lady Archer May Datuin returned the favor to bring La Salle to matchpoint. But La Salle setter Reina Ferina Saet committed a lifting violation and Lady Archer Carissa Gotis spiked the ball toward the net, giving UST a glimmer of hope. But the newcomer Datuin, who made two crucial blocks in the third set, delivered the winning point for the Lady Archers.
Former MVP Desiree Hernandez registered 12 points, including four blocks. Lady Archer Gotis, who nursed an injury during the off-season, was back in tip-top shape, scoring 11 points, while vastly improved Carla Llaguno chipped in eight points.
After a mediocre first round, UST bounced back with an almost flawless showing in the second round.
UST crushed Adamson, 25-21, 25-15, 25-15, last Sept. 19 and edged Ateneo de Manila University, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-14, the day before. Earlier, the Lady Spikers lost to fellow semifinalist FEU Lady Tamaraws, 25-14, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, last Sept. 11.
