THE UST Golden Spikers ravaged the struggling Adamson Soaring Falcons via sweep, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18, in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, April 2, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST claimed its second straight victory, blasting 43 attacks while limiting Adamson to only 18.
With a 6-4 slate, the Golden Spikers are in a three-way tie with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the DLSU Green Spikers.
Meanwhile, the Falcons fell to a 2-8 record for seventh place.
“It’s a great comeback for the team… The past two games that we played boosted our morale and momentum for our remaining games,” reigning MVP Josh Ybañez told The Flame.
The Golden Spikers dominated the opening set after middle blocker Trevor Valera fired three consecutive kills, 12-4.
Despite committing eight errors, UST maintained in full control as Valera drilled a quick attack to end the set, 25-12.
The Falcons were quick to recover in the second frame, putting the game at a 9-all. The Golden Spikers, however, picked up the pace after rookie spiker JJ Macam punched a crosscourt kill, 14-9.
Adamson tried to mount a comeback late in the set as outside hitter John Hitones nailed a down-the-line kill, but a service error gave UST a two-set advantage, 25-18.
The San Marcelino squad tried to rally in the third salvo behind a kill-block from middle blocker Marc Paulino, 10-8.
However, the fiery offense of the España-based team proved too much as Macam punched in a block and a crosscourt attack to seal the deal.
Ybañez led UST with 13 points built on 12 attacks and a block. Macam and Jay Rack de la Noche added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Jude Aguilar and Ricardo Obeda Jr. combined for eight points to pace Adamson.
The Golden Spikers will look to extend their win streak as they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 5, at the same venue. F
