THE UST Golden Spikers missed out on a podium finish for the first time after tumbling to the NU Bulldogs in straight sets, 25-19, 34-32, 31-29, in the V-League men’s collegiate challenge on Sunday, Sept. 29.
The Bulldogs, who are missing four national team members, still overpowered the Golden Spikers to finish with bronze at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The match began with NU establishing an early four-point lead after an error by UST middle blocker Popoy Colinares, 5-1. But UST caught up midway after a crosscourt kill from opposite hitter Sherwin Umandal, 16-14.
The Bulldogs capitalized on the Golden Spikers’ consecutive errors to clinch the first set, 25-19.
It was a different script in the second chapter with both teams going blow-for-blow as UST open spiker JJ Macam tied the match with a sharp crosscourt hit, 15-all.
The Bulldogs arrived at set-point early after consecutive errors from rookies Al-Bhukarie Sali and Macam, 24-20. But the Golden Spikers responded with a 4-0 run to extend the set, 24-all.
Both teams raced to claim the set until back-to-back drop shots from NU hitters Aringo and Jan Abanilla caught UST’s defense off guard, 34-32.
Down two sets to none, the España squad unleashed a six-point run capped off by a block from rookie Karbe Malabunga, 16-10. However, the Bustillos-based squad came fighting back to gain the lead after a clever cut from Aringo, 23-21.
Caught in another extended set, Golden Spikers Macam and Gboy de Vega committed back-to-back errors to settle for fourth place, 31-29.
Aringo paced the UAAP defending champions with 17 kills. Mac Bandola had 13 markers, while Abanilla added 11 points.
Macam held the scoring load for UST with 14 attacks. Umanadal chipped in 10 markers.
The Golden Spikers were runner-ups in the last two campaigns.
The DLSU Green Spikers will battle out with the FEU Tamaraws in the finals. F
