THE SLUMPING UST Tiger Spikers surrendered to the Adamson University, 21-12, 25-18, 21-25, 22-25, and absorbed their sixth loss in the UAAP Season 78 men’s volleyball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
After a 21-all deadlock in the fourth set, the Soaring Falcons sealed the game with a 4-1 run behind one UST error, two Bryan Saraza kills and an emphatic Paolo Pablico block.
UST last held the lead at 18-15 before an Adamson 5-2 rally which gave the Soaring Falcons a 21-20 advantage. Tiger Spiker Jomaru Amagan tied the game at 21-all but UST managed only one point before Adamson took the set.
Manuel Andrei Medina topscored for UST with 15 points while Jason Sarabia had 10 points.
Four Falcons scored in double digits highlighted by Dave Pletado’s game-high 19 points.
The Tiger Spikers reduced a four-point Adamson lead in the third set to one, 21-22, but Falcon Jerome Sarmiento finished the set with two attack points followed by a UST error.
UST banked on a 10-4 rally after the second technical timeout to notch the second set.
“Disappointed ulit [ako] kasi coming to the game, confident ako na makakabawi sila. In some areas nag-improve. Ang pangit ng start namin. Mental lapses lang at the end game,” UST coach Odjie Mamon told the Varsitarian.
The Tiger Spikers remain at the bottom of the standings with a 1-6 win-loss card at the end of the first round.
