THE UST Golden Spikers endure their first loss in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament after collapsing to the DLSU Green Spikers in four sets, 26-24, 25-23, 25-21, 25-15, on Sunday, Feb. 25.
Unforced errors proved costly for UST, with 40 bounders ultimately derailing the Golden Spikers’ efforts and dropping their record to a 2-1 slate.
In the opening set, the Golden Spikers succumbed to a string of service and attack errors despite having the upper hand, 24-22.
This allowed the Green Spikers to steal the lead, 24-25, with outside hitter Vince Maglinao delivering a down-the-line kill to win the set, 24-26.
Despite losing the first set, UST rallied in the second frame and built an early five-point lead. DLSU tried to overpower the Golden Spikers with consecutive attacks from opposite hitter John Ronquillo and open hitter Noel Kampton, 24-23.
Reigning Rookie-MVP Josh Ybañez delivered a powerful down-the-line kill to tie the game with one set apiece, 25-23.
Ybañez continued to display his prowess in the third set and trimmed the gap to 18-22. However, DLSU capitalized on UST’s errors, which cost the Golden Spikers the set, 25-21.
After UST had an unsuccessful challenge on a hit close to the net, 13-19, the Green Spikers went on a dominant 6-2 run.
The Green Spikers sealed their victory with a final attack error from UST’s Sherwin Umandal, who sent his crucial hit out of bounds for a final score of 25-15.
Ybañez paced UST with 20 points on 18 attacks and two aces. GBoy De Vega’s contribution was limited to eight points due to a right ankle sprain sustained in the second set.
DLSU outside hitter Noel Kampton produced 18 points to lead the Green Spikers, while Maglinao and Ronquillo contributed 16 markers each.
The Golden Spikers aim to regain their winning form as they face the undefeated FEU Tamaraws at the same venue on Sunday, March 3. F
