- Photo by Jianzen Deananeas/THE FLAME
THE UST Golden Spikers overpower the UE Red Warriors in three sets, boosting its final four chances, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST improved its record at 8-5 blitz, while UE sank to the bottom with 1-12.
The duo of Josh Ybañez and Paul Colinares led UST’s offense, combining 30 points to seal the match. The Golden Spikers dominated the floor defense with 35 excellent digs, narrowing the Red Warriors’ chances.
Colinares asserted dominance early in the opening set, blasting off successive quick attacks and tallying eight points in set one.
Ybañez soared for a pipe attack to claim an eight-point lead, 21-13. UE committed an error, allowing UST to take the set, 25-15.
The Golden Spikers maintained their advantage in the second frame when opposite hitter Sherwin Umandal fired a backrow hit, 11-7. Middle blocker Rainier Flor’s well-timed block stretched UST’s lead to six, 16-10.
The Red Warriors sparked a mini-run by activating their middle blockers. However, Ybanez stepped up with a sharp attack from the back, 23-20. Umandal scores off a down-the-line kill to lead UST for a 25-21 set-win.
UST maintained its momentum in the third salvo. Ybañez powered UST from all sides of the court, while off the bench player, John Dodoroy, converted a crosscourt kill to a match-winning point, 25-16.
Ybañez paced UST’s offense with 18 points, including 17 attacks and an ace, while Colinares and Umandal contributed 12 and 11, respectively.
John Aligayon and Angelo Reyes carried UE, both gaining eight points.
The UST Golden Spikers are set to face the DLSU Green Spikers for their last match before the semis on April 27 at the same venue. F
