Feb. 13, 10:50 p.m.-THE TIGER Spikers exacted revenge on archrival Far Eastern University (FEU), dealing them a 25-18, 26-28, 25-17, 25-23 upset in their second round showdown at The Arena in San Juan today.
The Espana-based squad surprised their opponents with spectacular saves by Kerr Ucang on FEU’s frontline attacks followed by Harby Ilano’s swipes to grab the first set for UST, 25-18.
Karl dela Calzada and Rodolfo Labrador, however, fired back for the Tamaraws as they pummeled down strong hits on UST’s field to snatch the second set, 26-28.
Salvador Depante III struck back for UST, puncturing hits on FEU’s court highlighted by a service ace for a 23-21 advantage in the fourth canto.
John Paul Torres hammered down two thunderous spikes to seal the win for Tiger Spikers, 25-23.
Ilano and Depante topscored for UST with 13 point apiece, while Labrador led FEU with 16 markers.
The Tiger Spikers, with a twice-to-beat edge, are now set to face De La Salle University in the Final Four round.
On the distaff side, victory slipped off the hands of the Lady Spikers in a five-setter loss to La Salle, 20-25, 27-25, 25-18, 22-25, 12-15, at the end of the second round of eliminations.
After a tightly contested first set that went in favor of the Lady Archers, UST retaliated with an 8-0 scoring binge in the second frame for a 23-all deadlock. Service errors from La Salle aided the Lady Spikers to take the set, 27-25.
The Espana-based volleybelles opened the third canto with a 9-0 run anchored on Judy Caballejo and Aiza Maizo’s attacks, 11-9.
UST then zoomed with Maruja Banaticla’s spike, iced by a solid block by Maika Ortiz, 25-18.
After nine deadlocks, a feisty fourth set was up for grabs for both teams. UST took an early lead, 15-13, but Lady Archer Charleen Cruz’s hits were unyielding enough to grab the set for La Salle.
An error-plagued fifth set for the two squads paved its way for a 10-10 tie but a barrage of La Salle attacks dazed UST at 12-15.
Maizo chalked up 20 points for UST while Cruz had 17 markers for La Salle. Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera and Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon
