THE UST Tiger Spikers inched closer to the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference after outlasting the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 32-30, in Game 1 of the semifinals at the Arena in San Juan Saturday.
Tied at 29 in the fourth set, the Tiger Spikers used a 3-1 blitz, capped by Tim Tajanlangit’s block kill to seal the victory, 32-30.
“Noong fourth set, nasunod ng team ‘yong instruction na bantayan ‘yong middle, noong na-block na, nakalamang na kami,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.
Up 15-13 in the third canto, the Falcons uncorked a 10-3 run to prevent a sweep.
Trailing 20-21 in the second frame, the Tiger Spikers unleashed a 5-1 sprint, topped by Mark Alvarez’s attack error, 25-22.
Back-to-back quick kills from UST’s Tyrone Carodan ended a 12-5 blast that broke a 13-all deadlock in the first salvo to take an early advantage.
Jayvee Sumagaysay had a game-high 19 points for the Tiger Spikers while Joshua Umandal and Manuel Medina delivered 18 and 17 markers, respectively.
Paolo Pablico and George Labang scored 16 points apiece for Adamson.
Game 2 will be on Sept. 1, Saturday, 9 a.m., at the same venue. with reports from Enrico Miguel S. Silverio
