THE UST Golden Spikers prevailed in four sets against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, April 3.
UST currently holds the fourth seed with a 6-4 record, one game ahead of the Ateneo Blue Eagles (5-4), while Adamson remained at sixth place with a 4-5 record.
Despite UST leading two sets to none, the Soaring Falcons managed to overcome a 22-20 UST lead in the third set by going on a 5-1 run, extending the game to four sets.
In the fourth set, Adamson held a three-point lead at 16-13, but the Golden Spikers responded with a 10-6 run, sparked by five points from Josh Ybañez.
Ybañez’s smart drop gave UST match point at 24-22, and although Gboy de Vega lost his service, forcing UST to call time, Ybañez ultimately sealed the game with a powerful hit.
“Doon sa last part ng fourth set, na-organize ulit sila,” UST assistant coach Benjamin Mape said postgame. “Nagkaroon sila ng communication, iyon lang naman kulang at saka ‘yong pagbasa sa sitwasyon. Iyon ang pinakamagandang natutuhan nila ngayon.”
“This time, umangat, bumaba and nong last part umangat ulit (team’s perfomance). So magandang sensyales ito [kasi] mabilis na ‘yong recovery nila pagdating sa mga sitwasyon na crucial.”
Ybañez paced UST with a triple-double performance of 25 points, 10 excellent digs and 27 excellent receptions, while De Vega and Jay Rack de la Noche chipped in 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Marc Paulino led the Soaring Falcons with 16 markers, while Francis Casas and Jude Aguilar added 13 and 12 markers.
The UST Golden Spikers will next face the UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue on April 10, Wedneday, at 10 a.m.
