The UST Tiger Spikers clinched a semifinal berth after sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eagles for their eighth-straight win, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena on Saturday.
With both teams tied at 23-all in the first frame, Josh Ybañez scored a point to push UST to a set-point advantage. Charles Magpayo blocked an attack by Ateneo’s Chad Absin to give UST the first-set win, 25-23.
UST made quick work of Ateneo in the second frame after converting 15 attacks. Ybañez powered a down-the-line kill to elevate UST to a two-sets-to-none advantage, 25-19.
Magpayo and Ybañez scored back-to-back kills to complete the sweep and seal UST’s victory, 25-21.
The Tiger Spikers grabbed the victory while missing head coach Odjie Mamon and Jay Rack De La Noche, who are training in Japan as part of their national team duties for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next month.
Ybañez led UST with 15 points, while John Rey De Vega scored 12.
Jian Matthew Salarzon was the sole double-digit scorer for Ateneo after pouring in 10 points.
UST improved to a 10-1 win-loss record, good for second place.
The Tiger Spikers will next face the FEU Tamaraws on April 23, 9 a.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena.
