The UST Golden Spikers succumbed to the defending champion NU Bulldogs, 25-22, 29-27, 25-19, in the opening game of their UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball campaign Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Errors plagued the Golden Spikers in the opening set, as 13 miscues allowed the Bulldogs to seize control and claim a 25-22 win.
NU built a six-point cushion late, 21-15, before Josh Ybañez sparked a 5-1 rally to trim the deficit to one, 22-21. But Peng Taguibolos delivered two key points in the Bulldogs’ closing push to secure the frame.
UST led by as many as six points in the second frame, 11-5, before NU went on a 15-4 run to take control, 20-15.
The Golden Spikers closed the gap through Ybañez and Sherwin Umandal’s timely hits, but Jade Disquitado and Obed Mukaba’s late attacks handed NU the set in extended play, 29-27.
The Bulldogs raced to a 13-6 cushion in the third and never looked back as UST struggled to find its rhythm down the stretch, 25-19.
Ybañez and Trevor Valera paced the Golden Spikers with eight points apiece, while Umandal added six.
Meanwhile, Buddin tallied 16 points to lead the Bulldogs, with Leo Ordiales chipping in 11.
NU outblocked UST, 12-4.
The Golden Spikers will next face the DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the same venue. Kurt Russel Vincent Miranda
