THE UST Tiger Spikers suffered a 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 13-15 loss against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Tiger Spikers fell to a 2-2 win-loss record for fourth place, while the Tamaraws remained on top with a clean 4-0 slate.
Holding a slim one-point lead in the final frame, 14-13, Tamaraw Kris Silang went for a one-two play to finish the job for FEU, 15-13.
“Nawala ‘yong aggressiveness namin noong fourth set. We minimized our errors, pero we played safe masyado,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon told the Varsitarian.
Richard Solis’ block kill in the fourth set allowed FEU to force a deciding frame, 25-16.
Ahead 22-19 in the third canto, the Tiger Spikers ignited a 3-1 blitz, capped by Joshua Umandal’s crosscourt hit to give UST a commanding 2-1 set advantage.
Jude Garcia’s down-the-line kill in the second salvo equalized the game to one-set apiece, 25-23.
Leading 17-15 in the opening canto, the Tiger Spikers ignited an 8-2 run, topped by Jayvee Sumagaysay’s off-the-block hit to take high ground early.
Garcia tallied a game-high 23 points, while John Paul Bugaoan had 15 markers for the Tamaraws.
Umandal had 20 points, while rookie Jaron Requinton added 16 markers for UST.
The Tiger Spikers will next face the De La Salle University Green Archers on March 6, Wednesday, 10 a.m., at the Arena in San Juan.
