THE UST Golden Spikers put up a defensive wall to stun the defending champions FEU Tamaraws in four sets, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-17, in the 2025 V-League men’s Collegiate Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Paco Arena.
UST finally broke through against the UAAP silver medalists to seal a semifinals berth with a 5-1 card.
Three Golden Spikers finished in double-digits with Al-Bukharie Sali exploding for 29 points built on 26 attacks, two blocks and an ace. JJ Macam and Gboy de Vega backed him up with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
“We did not make adjustments but what we changed was our mindset,” UST assistant coach Benjamin Mape told The Flame.
“That’s the most important thing in this kind of game, the players’ mindset is the biggest factor,” he added.
The España-based squad endured a sluggish start, trailing by six midway through the opener after an attack from FEU’s Lyrick Mendoza, 16-10.
Tamaraw opposite hitter Dryx Saavedra proved too hot for the Golden Spikers, closing out the first set, 25-19.
It was almost a similar script in the second frame as FEU capitalized on UST errors to build a 12-6 cushion.
But the Golden Spikers roared back with 13-5 blitz anchored on their net defense to steal the set, 25-23, tying the game at one set apiece.
After a slow start in the first two sets, UST shifted gears in the third frame as Sali caught fire to power his team to a 25-15 set win.
UST never looked back in the fourth stanza with Sali pounding the pavement off a down-the-line kill, 21-15. Saavedra’s late error sealed the deal.
Saavedra and Amet Bituin led the offense for FEU with 13 points each, while Mikko Espartero added a double-double on 10 points and 11 receptions.
The Golden Spikers now eye a top finish in the eliminations when they battle the DLSU Green Spikers on Oct. 1, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. F – with reports from Lhiera Nicole Trinidad
