The UST Tiger Spikers escaped a five-setter against the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 28-30, 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
UST strengthened its bid for a Final Four spot as the Tiger Spikers improved to fourth place with a 6-6 win-loss card.
The Tiger Spikers closed the game behind a 7-3 rally, capped by a Jayvee Sumagaysay hit, to break free from an eight-all deadlock in the final set.
“Medyo maayos ‘yung execution namin ng prepared set plays. We stuck with the game plan, talagang pilit na pilit na iniiwas sa main passer nila ‘yung service namin,” UST coach Odjie Mamon said.
La Salle held a slim 12-11 lead in the fourth set before uncorking a 13-5 run, highlighted by eight straight points, to stretch the match.
After trailing 10-15, UST, which had 13 blocks against La Salle’ seven, dropped a 16-6 bomb to gain a 2-1 set lead.
Manuel Medina paced the Tiger Spikers with 15 points while Jerico Jose added 14 markers on top of four aces.
Cris Dumago led La Salle with 17 markers.
The Tiger Spikers will face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on April 2, Sunday, 10 a.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena.
