UST turns back UE for 2-0 start
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) came back from six down in the third set to complete a sweep against University of the East (UE), 28-26, 25-19, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Golden Spikers improved to 2-0 while pushing the Red Warriors down to 0-2.
UE was ahead 20-14 when Popoy Colinares, Gboy de Vega, Josh Ybañez and Dux Yambao connived to take the lead and the match point for UST, 24-23.
Joshua Pozas answered back for the Red Warriors with a push shot to extend the game but de Vega and Ybañez came through with back-to-back kills for the Golden Spikers win in one hour and 26 minutes.
“This is not a five-setter, but they (UE) tested our character. We still have a lot of flaws today,” said head coach Odjie Mamon after UST followed up on last Sunday’s upending of four-peat-seeking National University.
De Vega led the Golden Spikers with an all-around performance of 14 points, including two blocks, 18 receptions and five digs.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Ybañez added 12 points and 15 receptions, while Colinares delivered 10 points as well.
UST also got contributions from opposite spikers Sherwin Umandal and Jay Rack de la Noche with eight and seven points, respectively.
Pozas paced the Red Warriors with 11 points to go with seven digs, while John Aligayon also made 10 points and 13 receptions.
Earlier, Far Eastern University fended off the challenge of De La Salle University, 25-18, 2025, 25-22, 25-17, in a rematch of last year’s stepladder duel to stay undefeated.
The Tamaraws moved to 2-0 while handing the Green Spikers their first loss of the tournament for a 1-1 record.
UST’s next opponent would be La Salle on Sunday, 11 a.m., while UE will shoot for its first win earlier that day against FEU.