THE UST Golden Spikers crumbled before the undefeated FEU Tamaraws in straight sets, 26-24, 25-23, 25-19, to open the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 23.
UST slipped to a 4-4 slate after its third consecutive defeat, while FEU remained unblemished with a league-best 8-0 record.
In the opening frame, the Golden Spikers held on to a slim three-point advantage after a kill block courtesy of rookie spiker JJ Macam, 6-3.
After trading points, however, the Tamaraws fired a 5-0 barrage sparked by a Mikko Espartero kill to snatch the extended set, 26-24.
Momentum stayed on the side of the Morayta squad after reigning Best Opposite Spiker Dhryx Saavedra drove an ace to put his team up by five early in the second set, 8-3.
FEU fended off a late UST rally as wing spikers Espartero and Jelord Talisayan managed the offensive load, 25-23.
Down two sets, the Golden Spikers came alive in the third salvo as Jay Rack de la Noche sparked a mini-run to take an 8-2 advantage. However, FEU were quick to recover as it overtook the lead after an ace from Saavedra, 17-14.
As ther Golden Spikers struggled to set up their offense, the Tamaraws took advantage behind back-to-back kills from Saavedra and Espartero to win their eighth game in a row.
Espartero led the charge for FEU with 18 points. Saavedra chipped in 13 attacks and two aces.
Only two players from UST scored in double digits as they lagged behind in all scoring departments, getting only 39 attack points to FEU’s 45.
For UST, reigning MVP Josh Ybañezchalked up 15 attacks, while De la Noche added 12 points from 11 attacks and a block.
The Golden Spikers will seek to halt their three-game skid as they face the DLSU Green Spikers on Saturday, March 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
