UST DYNAMO Josh Ybañez led the Tiger Spikers to a four-set victory against the FEU Tamaraws, 25-22, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18, clinching a semifinals berth in the process, in the 2023 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena on Sunday, Sept. 3.
A scoring barrage by Ybañez, who erupted for 33 points built on 29 attacks, 3 blocks, and a service ace, helped the Tiger Spikers claim their fourth straight win.
“So far, hindi pa rin ako satisfied kasi they still revert to individualism,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon told the Varsitarian. “We have one week to prepare for Ateneo, I want to secure the number one spot, so kailangan ‘yong remaining games namin ay mapanalunan namin.”
UST sits atop the standings with a 4-1 win-loss record.
UST’s 10 errors in the third frame kept FEU alive as the Tamaraws pulled away with an 8-3 blast to extend the match and claim their first set victory, 25-20.
However, the Tiger Spikers retaliated in the fourth salvo to put FEU away, 25-18.
Tiger Spiker Paul Colinares rejected FEU’s Jelord Talisayan to force a deuce in the second salvo, 24-all.
Ybañez then scored back-to-back points to give UST a two-sets-to-none lead, 26-24.
Trailing by six points, 6-12, UST stunned the Tamaraws with a 19-10 run to snatch the first frame, 25-22.
UST’s Rainier Flor and Gboy De Vega scored 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
Martin Bugaoan and Zhydryx Saavedra paced the Tamaraws with 12 points apiece, while Talisayan added 11 points.
The Tiger Spikers will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the same venue on Sept. 10, Sunday, at 4 p.m. E.J.B. Abris
