THE UST Golden Spikers missed out on the top seed in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge after succumbing to the DLSU Green Spikers in five sets, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 12-15, on Monday, Sept. 29, at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
Making his much-anticipated comeback, Alas Pilipinas libero Josh Ybañez returned as an outside hitter for the España-based squad midway through the first set.
His entry sparked a late 6-1 run for the Golden Spikers to steal the opening set, 25-23.
DLSU, however, took control of the second set as it capitalized on UST’s seven errors, 25-21.
The Golden Spikers then squandered a chance to close out the third frame after rookie Kris Hernandez’s costly service error gifted DLSU the set lead, 25-23.
UST rallied from a seven-point deficit to tie the fourth set at 22-all, before GBoy De Vega and Ybañez delivered clutch kills to extend the match, 26-24.
The Green Spikers broke loose midway in the decider, carving out a 12-8 edge.
UST threatened a comeback, but Eugene Gloria’s finishing pipe attack sealed DLSU’s 15-12 win.
Ybañez led the scoring for the Golden Spikers with 13 points, while De Vega and Trevor Valera each tallied 12 markers.
DLSU’s Issa Ousseni exploded with 20 points. Rui Ventura and Gloria chalked 18 and 17 markers, respectively
UST will face the third seed FEU Tamaraws in a best-of-three semifinals on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the same venue. F
