The UST Tiger Spikers claimed their third win with a sweep of the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals in the 2023 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, at the Paco Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
With the Tiger Spikers up by seven in the third frame, 20-13, the Generals went on a quick 6-2 spurt to cut UST’s lead to three.
UST responded with a 3-0 blitz highlighted by a Trevor Valera service ace and a John Ramos quick attack to complete the sweep.
Tied at 18-all in the second salvo, the Tiger Spikers pulled away with a 7-1 blast to bury the Generals and go up two sets to none.
Despite committing 10 unforced errors in the first set, the Tiger Spikers escaped the Generals with a set-clinching 10-3 run capped by back-to-back Josh Ybañez kills, 25-18.
Despite the win, UST head coach Odjie Mamons said the Tiger Spikers were working on mastering their “new system.”
“They’re sliding back, nagre-regress sila to their old mentality kasi for this season, nag- implement kami ng bagong system, and the system calls for discipline,” he told the Varsitarian. “They tend to play as individuals pa.”
Ybañez paced UST anew with 19 points. He was the lone UST player in double digits.
EAC’s Jan Abor and Ervin Osabel led the Generals with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Tiger Spikers will next face the FEU Tamaraws at the same venue on Sunday, Sept. 3, at 12 noon. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
