THE UST Tiger Spikers needed four sets to hold off a pesky University of the East squad, 25-17, 25-15, 20-25, 28-26, at the start of the second round of the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last Jan. 19.
Reigning co-MVP Mark Gil Alfafara said complacency and poor floor defense allowed UE, which suffered its eighth straight loss, to catch up.
“We relaxed a little in the third set that’s why they gained confidence. We also had problems with reception late in the fourth set,” said Alfafara, who led UST with a game-high 26 points in another stellar performance that put him in close second in the MVP race behind Ateneo de Manila University’s sensational rookie Mark Espejo.
Last Jan. 15, the Tiger Spikers ran out of steam in the end and lost to Ateneo, 19-25, 25-20, 18-25, 15-25.
The Blue Eagles broke the game wide open in the fourth set and punished a lethargic UST side.
The Tiger Spikers’ error-prone offense in that frame led to an early 6-1 edge for Ateneo.
Espejo unleashed several power plays as the Blue Eagles’ lead ballooned to 11, 21-10. UST put up some more points before Ateneo cruised to victory.
Coach Emil Lontoc said the preliminary examinations took their toll on his wards.
The Tiger Spikers closed in on Ateneo, 13-14, in the third set, but the Blue Eagles responded with four quick points to keep UST away, 18-13.
UST managed to come close anew, 17-19, via Alfafara’s tip, before Ateneo went on a 6-1 run to cap the frame.
Alfafara had 19 points for UST, while Espejo paced the Blue Eagles with 21 markers.
Intensity picked up early in the second frame as both teams traded several power plays and triple blocks. UST initially survived Espejo’s relentless attacks to take a 16-12 lead.
However, UST’s errors gave Ateneo the chance to come back, 19-all, before Alfafara took over with four straight hits to end the exchange.
