The UST Golden Spikers cruised past the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, to win their fifth straight game in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament Wednesday, March 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Golden Spikers improved to 5-1 and got a share of the No. 2 spot with the National University (NU) Bulldogs, whose squad defeated UST in the season opener. UP slid to 2-4.
Josh Ybañez paced UST with 13 points on 12 attacks and one service ace, while Joncriz Ayco and JJ Macam tallied nine points apiece. Dux Yambao added one block and had 18 excellent sets.
UST dominated the Fighting Maroons in the attack department, 42-34. The Golden Spikers also logged their fewest errors this season with 17 compared with UP’s 26.
“Maganda ‘yong mindset ng mga players today,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said postgame. “Hindi nila pinuwersa na umatake just to hit the target, so props to my team.”
Tied at 3-all in the first set, the Golden Spikers mounted a 15-10 run capped by Ybañez’s attack to build a five-point cushion, 18-13.
UP tried to close the gap, but UST maintained control to win the opening frame after Trevor Valera’s quick hit, 25-22.
In the second frame, Zairus Pacure’s attack gave UP its first lead of the match, 11-10, but UST went on a 7-1 spurt to regain control, 17-11.
The Golden Spikers then continued their momentum as Sherwin Umandal’s crosscourt kill secured the set, 25-18.
Errors doomed the Fighting Maroons in the third set, allowing UST to build a 19-12 edge before Ybañez and Umandal’s timely attacks ultimately sealed the match for UST, 25-16.
Olayemi Raheem, the league’s leading scorer, anchored UP’s offense with 12 points, while Pacure added eight points.
“We prepared to neutralize (Olayemi) Raheem and mas maganda rin ‘yong targeting namin as there were lesser errors in this game,” Mamon said.
The Golden Spikers will cap their first-round eliminations against Far Eastern University on Saturday, March 14, at the same venue.
