UAAP GRANDSLAM champions UST Tiger Spikers stayed atop the team standings, surviving a pulsating three-set match, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, against the University of the Philippines (UP) in the men’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City last December 8.
Riding on a 3-0 card, the Tiger Spikers started slow due to the sleek receptions and the stonewall defense poised by UP’s Lloyd Belgado throughout the game.
But UST’s John Paul Torres turned the tables on UP with his monstrous, down-the-line spikes and a block for a 15-all deadlock in the third set.
Torres led UST, with 14 points, followed by team captain Henry Pecaña and Salvador Depante with 11 points apiece. Dominico Lucindo topscored for the Diliman-based tossers with 16 markers.
The Tiger Spikers registered their second win against the University of the East, 25-8, 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, last December 5. They also demolished the Ateneo de Manila University, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17, last November 27.
Still unscathed
In the distaff side, the Lady Spikers edged the Adamson University in a come-from-behind fashion, 19-25, 26-28, 25-11, 25-16, 15-10, to score their third straight win in as many games.
Despite an erratic start, the Lady Spikers regained their composure from the third set onwards, courtesy of Maruja Banaticla’s clever long shot that triggered a 5-0 run.
Both teams battled neck-and-neck in the fourth frame that saw seven deadlocks. But the Lady Spikers showed veteran poise with the decisive drops of Judy Caballejo and a kill from Maika Ortiz to lead 20-14. Adamson’s Angela Benting retaliated with a strong down-the-line hit, but the Lady Spikers’ persistence ended the set at 25-16.
The Lady Spikers banked on skipper Aiza Maizo in the fifth set with an early kill, 6-5, aided by Banaticla’s hit through the block of Benting, 9-7. It was Ortiz’ down-line shot that iced the last frame for UST, 15-10.
The Lady Spikers earlier destroyed UP in three sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-16, last December 5 after thwarting Ateneo de Manila, 25-13, 18-25, 19-25, 26-24, 15-13, last November 27.
