The UST Junior Golden Spikers trounced the UE Junior Warriors, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23, at the start of their UAAP Season 87 boys’ volleyball campaign at the Paco Arena on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Jon Paolo Medino anchored the Junior Golden Spikers with 18 points built on 15 attacks and three blocks, while John Paul Bautista tallied seven service aces to finish with 16 points.
The Junior Golden Spikers took control of the first two sets, before UE found its footing in the third frame, pouncing on UST’s second stringers to avert a sweep, 22-25.
Trailing by as much as four points, 8-4, in the fourth set, UST leaned on reigning boys’ MVP Joncriz Ayco and last season’s Best Middle Blocker Sean Cruz to pull the Junior Golden Spikers to 20-all following the duo’s kill block.
Ayco’s dropball ultimately gave the Junior Golden Spikers the lead 23-22, before Medino sent the game to match point with an attack, 24-22.
After a UST error that allowed UE to close in by a point, 23-24, Medino nailed the game-winning kill, taking down the Junior Warriors for good.
“Bagong system, bagong pag-aaral. Ngayon, dito namin ginagawa para malaman namin kung effective ba ang nilalaro namin sa bawat training,” UST coach Clarence Esteban told the Varsitarian.
However, Esteban rued jitters in the third set, which caused UST to drop the set.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, sa tagal na nilang naglalaro, dapat wala na tayong jitters. Mind conditioning lang sana dapat. Pero naiintindihan ko naman, first game ng season and syempre may adjustment din kami,” Esteban said.
The Junior Golden Spikers dominated UE in the attack department, 52-35.
Buenaventura Limpin led UE with 15 points, including 11 attacks and three blocks while Lance Babon contributed 14 markers.
The Junior Golden Spikers will next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the same venue on Saturday, Sept. 21. Rob Andrew L. Dongiapon
