THE UST Golden Spikers dismantled the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-22, 25-16, 25-18, to wrap up their elimination round and clinch a spot in the semifinals of the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena, on Wednesday, Sept 11.
UST won its last five games to finish the eliminations in second place with a 5-2-win-loss record, while Ateneo remained second to the last with a 1-5 slate.
Deadlocked at 20-all, the Golden Spikers used a quick 5-2 spurt, capped by two consecutive crosscourt hits from Gboy De Vega and Trevor Valera, to draw first blood, 25-22.
In the second frame, the Golden Spikers held a five-point edge against Blue Eagles, 16-11, after the second technical time out, eventually pulling away with a 9-5 run to secure a two-sets-to-none advantage, 25-16.
In the third, the Blue Eagles tried to avert a sweep by going on a late 3-0 run led by Ken Batas and Lorenzo Gutierrez to cut the Golden Spikers’ lead to three, 18-15.
However, UST mounted a 7-3 spurt punctuated by Jay Rack de la Noche’s three straight points to secure the win and a semifinals spot, 25-18.
“We just play our game. Kasi, what we do in our training are situations same with during the matches,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon told the Varsitarian. “I hope we have covered everything, all situations that may arise na-cover namin.”
De la Noche paced UST with 17 markers, while Colinares added 11 markers and 3 blocks. De Vega contributed 10 points.
Ateneo’s Batas and Jian Salarzon scored 10 and nine points, respectively.
The V-League semifinals are scheduled to start on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Venerando P. Pagaduan VII
