THE UST Tiger Spikers finished a disappointing fifth place in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament, in a season marred by injuries.
UST’s 25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-23 win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors last April 27 wrapped up a lackluster campaign which saw the Tiger Spikers win five out of 14 matches.
Head coach Odjie Mamon said the loss of their key players due to injuries took a heavy toll on the team’s performance this year.
“This season is disappointing kasi mataas ang expectation namin for the team, but we were not able to recover from the losses dahil sa tagal na rin ng recovery ng mga players from their injuries,” he told the Varsitarian.
Veteran middle blocker Tyrone Carodan only played in the Tiger Spikers’ first elimination round match against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons last Feb. 17, before being ruled out of the season due to syncope.
Sophomore Joshua Umandal and rookie Jaron Requinton went down with a right knee injury and an extensor digitorum brevis muscle injury, respectively, midway through the season.
Umandal missed UST’s 25-27, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18,15-17 loss against UE last March 17, while Requinton only scored two markers.
“Hindi talaga ‘yong planned starting six namin ang naglaro, hindi ‘yong core ng team namin. The tested chemistry of the team was affected due to the concerned three vital players,” Mamon said.
He also said the team’s inability to close out sets in crucial games contributed to their lackluster campaign.
“What happened this season was mananalo kami ng two sets then matatalo sa next set then mananalo ulit. (Hindi namin magawang tapusin ng straight),” Mamon said.
UST’s offensive woes persisted throughout the season, as evidenced by them being sixth in setting, fifth in spiking and receiving and fourth in serving.
On the defensive end, the Tiger Spikers were third in the league in terms of digging and blocking.
Despite a disappointing finish, Mamon remained optimistic of his team’s chances next season.
UST will miss the services of Timothy Tajanlangit, Juren Buro, Jayvee Sumagaysay and Carodan after exhausting their playing years.
The Tiger Spikers will see action again in the Premier Volleyball League this summer.
